Download - Definite and indefinite articles: a an-the
The use of indefinite and
definite articles A, AN or THE
2014
04/13/23 Teacher Danitza Lazcano F. 2
A and AN
A and An are indefinite articles.Both of them works with singular
nouns.
They stand for in Spanish: un oruna.
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How do we use them?
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We use A before words that begin with consonants.
For example:A car.A plane.A beautiful doll.
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We use AN before words that begin with vowels.
For example:
An ugly pottery.An airplane.An orange.
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In both cases, the recognition was visual.But we can also recognize the use of these articles by using our hear.
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We can use A before the vowel u and before the dipthonge eu, when it sounds like the word ‘you’(/juː/)
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Here we have some examples:
A university/ə ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti/
A European city
/ə ˌjʊrəˈpiːən ˈsɪti/
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What happened with h words?
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We use an before words that begin with a silent h like the word hour.
An hour/ən ˈaʊər/
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We use A with a hard h like the word house.
A house/ə haʊs/
oxford grammar practice #49
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When do we use A or AN?
*To talk about something for the first time.
I found a pencil.
* With jobs or professions.
She is a nurse.
* In exclamations/phrases with a/an+(countable singular) noun.
What an excellent day!
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THETHE is a definite article.It can be used with singular,plural and uncountable nouns.
THE stands for in Spanish: el – la – los – las.
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When do we use THE?
* When we talk about something we mention before.
I have a nice dress. The dress is white.
* With rivers, seas, oceans, deserts and island or mountain groups.
The Andes.The Atacama desert.
The Pacific ocean.
* When it is clear in the situation which thing or person we mean.
Can I borrow the red pen?Can I use the bathroom,
please?
* With superlatives.
She is the best student atschool.
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When do we use THE?
* When there is only one of something.
Santiago is the capital of Chile.
The moon is very bright tonight.
* To refer to a system or service.
I heard it on the radio.You should call the police.
* With musical instruments.
She is playing the piano and
her sister the bass.
* With adjectives like poor, rich, or evan group of people.
Life can be very easy for the rich.
I think the poor don't have to pay
taxes.
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DO NOT USE THE...
*Names of people and names of places.I went to Canberra yesterday.
I went to the Canberra yesterday. X
I saw Sue last week.I saw the Sue last week. X
* breakfast / lunch / dinnerWhat did you have for lunch?
What did you have for the lunch? X
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DO NOT USE THE...
*When we talk about people or things in general.
Credit cards are essential now. The credit cards are essential now.. X
* With continents, lakes, individual islands and mountains , and most countries
They went to Chungara lake last week.They went to the Chungara lake last week. X
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DO NOT USE THE...
*days / months/ yearsShe will go there on Monday.
She will go there on the Monday. X
* In some prepositional phrases (at-by-to).
He stays at home.He stays at the home.X
I go to school on foot.I go to school on the foot.X
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DO NOT USE THE...
*For institutionssuch as school, churches. Colleges, jails, and when talking about the main function of the institution.
My brother is in jail. My brother is in the jail. X
* In certain time expressions.
We'll finish school next year.We'll finish school the next year.X
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Let's practice!!!
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Fill in the blanks with: a / an / the or (/).
1. Last night I stayed home and watched ____ television.
2. ____ Mary used to live in ____ country.
3. What do you usually eat for ____ breakfast?
4. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on ____ phone.’
5. ____Mike is ____ good student.
6. ____Peter is _____ youngest student in the class.
7. ____ Sydney is ____ interesting city.
8. This class is ____ best class at using articles.
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Fill in the blanks with: a / an / the or (/).
1. Last night I stayed home and watched (/) television.
2. (/) Mary used to live in the country.
3. What do you usually eat for (/) breakfast?
4. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on the phone.’
5. (/) Mike is a good student.
6. (/) Peter is the youngest student in the class.
7. (/) Sydney is an interesting city.
8. This class is the best class at using articles.
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Material created and selected by
Danitza Lazcano FloresTeacher of English
Master in Education and
Educational counselor