Indefinite and definite articles

Indefinite articles and quantifiers

Indefinite articles and quantifiers

a and an are called indefinite articles because they are used to refer to something in a less specific manner (an unspecified count noun).We use a before singular count-nouns that begin with consonantsa + a consonant sound

a car a policeman a sofa

we use an before singular count-nouns that begin with vowels or vowel-like sounds

an + a vowel sounds (a, i, u, e ,o)

an artist an astronaut an island

Words that begin with an ”h” sound often require an a (as in a horse, a history book, a hotel), but if an h-word begins with an

actual vowel sound, use an an (as in an hour, an honor)

a useful device and a union matter because the u of those words actually sounds like ”y” (as opposed, say, to the u of an ugly

incident). The same is true of a European and a Euro (because of that consonantal “y” sound)

a once-in-a-lifetime experience or a one-time hero because the words once and one begin with a w sound

Indefinite article a/an

1. is used with singular countable nouns when we talk about things in general.

An aeroplane is faster than a train. Which aeroplane? Aeroplane in general

A crocodile is very dangerous animal. Which crocodile?

We don’t mean a specific crocodile.But we mean crocodile in general

2. is often used after the verbs “to be” and “to have”

Mr. Lee is a doctor.Mr. Hasan was a doctor.

George has got a new sports car

Unit of measurements

Unit of Measurement are

used with both count and

noncount nouns.

This Pattern : Number or Percent + Unit + Of + Name of

Item

Note : Dozen does not use “of”

Compare : I bought a dozen eggsI bought a carton of eggs

Indefinite articles and pronoun

Indefinite Adjectives and Pronouns

Much, a little, only a little, not much, very little, less and the least are used as adjectives with noncount nouns. They also may be used without the noun.

Noncount Nouns

No Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite Pronouns

1. Andi has a little money Andi has a little

2. How much money do you have?

I don’t have much

Many, a few, few, several, only a few, not many, fewer and the fewest are used with count nouns. They may also be used without the noun.

Count Nouns

No Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite Pronouns

1. Andi has a few dollars Andi has a few

2. I don’t have many dollar bills I don’t have many

(The) most, a lot (of), lots (of), plenty (of), some, any and no are used with both count and noncount nouns.

Both Count and Noncount

Nouns

No Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite Pronouns

1. Andi has a lot of money Andi has a lot

2. Do you have any dollar bills? I don’t have any

The Definite Article with Count and

Noncount Nouns

The Definite Article with Count Nouns

Structures Explanations Examples

Nonspecific (without the)

The is not used with nonspecific nouns.A or an is used with a singular noun, and no articles are used with plural nouns.

SingularToday a company may earn over $1 billion annuallyPluralToday companies may earn over $1 billion annually

Specific (with the)

The is used before a singular or plural count noun when that noun is specifically identified or its identity is already understood

Today, the companies that earn over $1 billion annually are primarily oil companies

The Definite Article with Noncount Nouns

Structure Explanations Examples

Nonspecific (without the)

No articles are used with unspecified nouns

Gold is a precious metal

Specific (with the)

The is used with a noncount noun when the noun is identified by a phrase or clause

The is usually used with superlatives

- The gold in jewelry is mixed with other metals

- The gold that is used in jewelry is mixed with other metals

- South Africa produces the most gold in the world

The with QuantifiersQuantifiers such as all, most, some, and enough can be used as pronouns followed by prepositional phrases. When the quantifier is used as an adjectives, the is omitted in most cases.

With the (pronoun quantifier + phrase)

Without the (adjective quantifier)

Count Nouns

All of the passengers are on board

All passengers are on board

Noncount Nouns

Most of the luggage is now on board

Most luggage is now on board

Quantifiers and subject / verb Agreement

Explanations Expression

A variety of quantifiers may be used as pronouns and followed by of the (or of + demonstrative or possessive) + noun.

They may also be used as adjectives with either count or noncount nouns (all money, enough people)

All, most, some, enough

Fractions and percentages

In formal English, none is always followed by a singular verb.

None

The Number Of versus A Number Of : Subject / Verb

AgreementBoth a number of and the number of are followed by plural nouns. However, the use of a or the affects both the meaning of the phrase and the form of the verb that follows.

Explanations Examples

A number of A number of means “many”. The verb must be plural

A number of ships were built

The number of The number of refers to a specific quantity. It must be followed by a singular verb

The number of ships was quite high

Two Part Subjects : Subject / Verb Agreement

Structures Explanations

both . . . . . and A plural verb always follows subjects with both . . . . and

either . . . orneither . . . nornot only . . . but also

With these expressions, the verb is singular or plural, depending on the subject closest to the verb

Along withAs well asIn addition toTogether with

The nouns that follow these expressions do not affect the verb. The subject alone determines whether the verb is singular or plural.