Unit 6

Animals

In This Unit:
ENGLISH 115 • Articles

Low-Intermediate • Articles & Prepositions

• No Article

• Every, All, Most, Both, Etc.

• Writing: Compound Sentences

 Grammar 6.1 | Articles #1

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This is George and Tigger. George

is the dog, and Tigger is the cat.
Do you like dogs? What about cats?
I love dogs, but I don't like cats.
I want a dog. I don't want a cat.

Indefinite Article
A, an, and some are called indefinite articles.
A/An (Review of Grammar 5.1)
A and an can be used with singular countable nouns. A and an mean "one". Use a before
consonants. An is used before vowels.
• a bear • a table • a phone • a song • a man
• an umbrella • an apple • an egg • an inch • an English teacher
Use an before "hour" because the h is not pronounced. Use a before "university" because it is
pronounced like /yuniversity/.
There's a university in this city. See you in an hour!

Some (Review of Grammar 5.1)

Some can be used with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
• some people • some water • some grass • some rice
• some money • some cows • some food • some grapes
No Article
Do not use a, an, or some if you are describing a general idea. A general idea means you are
talking about any (doesn't matter which) or all kinds of something.
I love pizza. Susan always reads books.

Bananas are my
Gold is expensive. favourite fruit.

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When you are describing things in general with "no article", use plural countable nouns or
uncountable nouns.
“He always puts ketchup on hot dogs.” “Cows eat grass.” “Paper comes from wood.”
• ketchup = uncountable • cows = plural countable • paper = uncountable
• hot dogs = plural countable • grass = uncountable • wood = uncountable

Do not use singular nouns with "no article”.

Apple is Apples
Student Students always makes mistake make
are delicious.
mistakes about article articles.

Definite Article The is called the definite article. Use the with nouns when it is clear
which thing or person you mean.
Someone is
at the door.

We took the stairs because the

Is there anything interesting elevator is broken.
in the newspaper today?

Sometimes it is clear which thing or person we mean because there is only one.
• Could you please close the door? • What did the teacher say?
• It's so cloudy today. We cannot see the sun.
Sometimes it is clear which person or thing we mean because we have already mentioned it.
I bought a shirt and Could I have a small coffee
some shoes. and a bottle of water, please?

I had a steak and salad for Where did you Would you like milk or
dinner. The steak was really good. get the shirt? sugar in the coffee?

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 Grammar 6.2 | Articles #2

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On our vacation in the Europe, we went

to the Netherlands, the Spain, the UK,
the Germany, and the Czech Republic.

The...
Always use the definite article with the following:
The Top / Bottom / Middle
The Same

I have the same

shoes as you!

He wears the same

clothes every day.
His office is at the top I hate sitting The Titanic is now
of the building. in the middle. at the bottom of the sea.
The Moon, Sun, World, Sky, Ocean, Sea
I want to live
The moon is beautiful tonight.
We saw a UFO by the ocean.
She is the best in the world.
in the sky last night.

The Internet, Radio The Police, Fire Department, Army

• The Internet is very fast in this school. • We should call the police.
• You need the Internet to use Schoology. • The fire department is coming to put out the fire.
• I never listen to the radio. Do you? • My brother is in the army.

Use the with the names of mountain ranges in English. We do

Names of Mountain Ranges
not use the when saying the names of individual mountains.
• The Andes are in South America.
• I would like to try to climb the Mt. Everest one day.
• He lives near the Alps in Switzerland. • The Mt. Fuji is in Japan.
Names of Oceans, Seas, Use the with the names of oceans, seas, and rivers. Do not
& Rivers use the with the names of lakes.
• The Lake Superior is between Canada and the USA. • The Pacific is the biggest ocean in the world.
• The Amazon River runs through Guyana, Ecuador, • When I went to Turkey last summer, I swam
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. in the Black Sea.
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The… Do not use the definite article with...

(Most) Names of Countries & Continents Use the definite article with
There are so many different the following country names.
languages in the Europe.
• The Netherlands
• The Philippines
The Kenya has very fast runners.
• The United Kingdom
• The United States of America
• The United Arab Emirates
• The Czech Republic
I am from the Mexico.

Names of Cities The Seattle is about 200 km

I was born in south of the Vancouver.
the Tokyo, Japan.

Names of People Names of Streets Names of Airports & Stations

• The Joe Robbins • My apartment is on the Main Street. • The JFK Airport is in New York.
• The Mr. Lewis • Turn left on the 32nd Avenue. • Excuse me. Do you know how to
• The President Obama • My school is on the Alberni Street. get to the City-Centre Station?
• The Angela
Languages & Subjects Games & Sports
• the English • the math • the soccer • the poker
• the French • the science • the bowling • the basketball

Go to... The following are popular phrases that use the definite article.
If you feel sick, let's
• go to the movies • go to the airport go to the doctor.
• go to the bank • go to the dentist
• go to the post office • go to the doctor My girlfriend and I went to
the movies last night.

We do not use the definite article with the following phrases.

• go to work • go to school
I'm going to work
• go to bed • go to university
now. Bye!
• go to prison • go home I need to go to bed.

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 Grammar 6.3 | Every, All, Most, Both, Etc.

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My dog is pretty old. He

sleeps all day every day.

Every Every is used only with singular countable nouns and verbs.
 Every student has a computer.  Every house looks the same.
× Every students have a computer. × Every houses look the same.
We can say everybody, everyone, everything, and everywhere. They also take singular verbs.
Everything costs a Everyone (or Everybody) is here. In Canada, everywhere
lot in this store. is cold in winter.

All can be used with plural countable nouns. In this usage, it has the same meaning
All as every. Notice the differences.
Every student has a computer. = All students have a computer.
Every house looks the same. = All houses look the same.
All can also be used with uncountable nouns.
• I hate all coffee. • All music makes me happy.
All can also be used with singular nouns. All + singular noun means "all of the one thing“.
• I couldn't sleep all night last night. • It was sunny all day yesterday.
Notice the differences with every.
• My dog sleeps on my bed every night. • I work every day, Monday to Friday, from 9 to 5.
• My dog slept on my bed all night. • I will be in the office all day tomorrow, from 9 to 5.
All, Most, Some, No, Not Any • My sister loves all animals (or every animal).
• There are no (or aren't any) animals on the moon.
• Most animals have legs.
• Some animals sleep during the day.
All Most Some No / (Not) Any
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 Grammar 6.3 | Every, All, Most, Both, Etc.

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Both, Either, & Neither These determiners are used to talk about two things or people.
Both = A + B Use both with countable nouns.
• Google and Apple are the biggest computer companies in the world. Both companies are in California.
• Canada and the USA are neighbours. Most people in both countries speak English.
• Both cats and dogs are friendly.
Either = A or B Either is used to talk about one from two people or things. It should only be
used with singular nouns.
• I want to go to either Cuba or Jamaica for vacation. I can't decide which country to choose.
• To do your homework at Home School, you need either a computer or cell phone.
• I’d like either coffee or tea, please.
Neither = A and B Neither is used to say "not A or B". It is also used with singular nouns.
• I don't want to go to Marcello's or Lombardo's. Neither restaurant is very good.
• My favourite animals at the zoo were the kiwis and penguins. Neither bird can fly.
Notice the differences between both, either, and neither.
A: Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner? A: Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner?
B: Both. (I want spaghetti and pizza.) B: Either. (I want spaghetti or pizza.)
A: Do you want spaghetti or pizza for dinner?
All, Most, Some, Etc. + Of... B: Neither. (I don't want spaghetti or pizza.)

Use of when you use these words with the definite article this, that, these, those, my, your, his,
etc. Do not use no with of. Use none. the
all this / that /
all
information most these / those
most
computers some my
some of
animals no none your
no / (not) any of
food (not) any his
both / either / neither
both her
 All students make mistakes. either its
 All of the students in class today made mistakes. neither our
their
 No students enjoy taking tests.
 None of the students in my class enjoyed taking We also use of when using object pronouns
the test. (you, it, them, us, this, that, these, those).
• Both of your shoes are dirty. None of them are
• Some of this information is wrong. paying attention.
• I don't know any of your friends.
• None of the food is warm. All of us are having
• Neither of my parents live in this city. a good time.

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 Writing 6.1 | Compound Sentences

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In English, there are four types of sentences. In this unit, we’ll learn about compound
sentences.
As we learned in Unit 5, a simple sentence is made up of one independent clause.
An independent clause must have a subject, a verb, and be a complete idea.

My brother plays tennis.

A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses.

My brother plays tennis, but my sister plays volleyball.

To put two independent clauses together, we use a comma and a coordinator.

There are seven coordinators.
• for
• and
An easy way to remember them all is to use the • nor
first letter of each coordinator: FANBOYS. • but
The most common coordinators are and, but, so • or
and or. For, nor, and yet are more formal. • yet
• so

Each coordinator gives a different meaning to the two independent clauses it connects.
For (gives a reason) They took care of her, for she was sick.
And (adds more information) John cooked the food, and Alice washed the dishes.
Nor (adds information in negative) I don’t like movies, nor do I like TV.
But (shows contrast) Sandra studied very hard, but she didn’t pass the test.
Or (shows choice) You can eat lunch at school, or you can eat lunch at home.
Yet (strong surprising contrast) My friend eats a lot of food, yet he never gains weight.
So (shows the result) I was very tired, so I went to bed early.

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 Vocabulary

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Word Part of Speech Example

adopt Verb We adopted our cat from a shelter.

agree Verb I don't agree with you. I think you're wrong.

army Noun My brother wants to join the army to protect our country.

available Adjective There aren't any tables available at the restaurant.

bite Verb Be careful. The dog might bite.

boat Noun My uncle took me fishing in his boat.

breathe Verb Fish can breathe under water.

catch Verb We went fishing, but we didn't catch any fish.

[an animal]

colourful Adjective The bird has very colourful feathers.

[US: colorful]

contest Noun I have never won a contest because I have bad luck.

control Noun, Verb We can't control our dog. He does what he wants.

danger Noun You are safe here. There is no danger.

deer Noun The men are hunting for deer in the forest.

depend on Phrasal Verb I don't know what I will do tomorrow. It depends on the weather.

dirt Noun Please take off your shoes. I don't want any dirt in my house.

endangered Adjective Koala bears are endangered now. We must protect them.

enough Determiner I don't have enough room. Can you give me more space please?

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Word Part of Speech Example

farmer Noun Many farmers use animals to protect the food they grow.

feather Noun The feathers of that bird are beautiful.

female Noun, Adjective The dog is not male. She's female.

fire department Noun Do you smell smoke? Let's call the fire department!

fur Noun She is wearing a fur jacket.

goat Noun Many goats live in the mountains.

grow Verb We grow vegetables on our farm.

healthy Adjective That food isn't very healthy. You should stop eating it all the time.

hit Verb Don't hit your computer if it's slow. It won't go faster.

intelligent Adjective Dogs are usually pretty intelligent animals.

jungle Noun There are many dangerous animals in the jungle.

land Noun This snake lives in the water and on land.

leather Noun Leather is made from cows.

male Noun, Adjective Male lions have long hair.

meat Noun Have you ever eaten the meat of a goat? It's not very good.

mountain Noun Let's climb a mountain this weekend!

plant Noun Many kinds of medicine come from plants.

protect Verb You should protect your bag. Someone might take it.

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Word Part of Speech Example

raise Verb They raise cows and sheep on the farm.

rare Adjective It's pretty rare to see a snow leopard these days.

safe Adjective The chickens are not safe on the farm because there are many wolves
around here.

seaweed Noun Sushi usually has rice, fish, and seaweed. Do you like it?

shelter Noun Cats and dogs stay at the animal shelter until they are adopted.

skill Noun The dog has many skills. For example, he helps control the sheep on
the farm.

sky Noun How many birds can you count in the sky?

space Noun Elephants need a lot of space to live.

[room]

species Noun There are many species of animals and plants in the jungle.

suggest Verb What do you suggest we do about the problem?

supply Noun, Verb We have a big supply of rice in the kitchen cupboard.

tail Noun Dogs usually move their tails when they're happy.

whistle Noun, Verb I can't whistle very well. Can you?

wild Adjective You shouldn't go close to wild animals. They might bite you.

win Verb I think the team will win the game.

wolf Noun Wolves are very dangerous animals. Do not go close to them.

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