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The Indefinite and Definite articles Rules

The document explains the two types of articles in English: indefinite (A/An) and definite (The). It outlines rules for their usage, including when to use 'A' before consonant sounds and 'An' before vowel sounds, as well as specific instances for using 'The'. Additionally, it covers scenarios where articles should not be used, such as with plural nouns, uncountable nouns, and proper names.

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Jeff Hantz Belizaire
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2 views

The Indefinite and Definite articles Rules

The document explains the two types of articles in English: indefinite (A/An) and definite (The). It outlines rules for their usage, including when to use 'A' before consonant sounds and 'An' before vowel sounds, as well as specific instances for using 'The'. Additionally, it covers scenarios where articles should not be used, such as with plural nouns, uncountable nouns, and proper names.

Uploaded by

Jeff Hantz Belizaire
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Indefinite and Definite articles

There are two (2) types of articles.

The indefinite article: A / An

The definite article: The

The indefinite article “A / An”


Rule #1

The article A or An is used when we don’t specify the things or people we are talking about.

Examples:

I met a friend yesterday.

I work in a factory.

Give me an apple.

Rule #2

The indefinite article “a” is used before a consonant sound.

Examples:

A dog

A pilot

A university

A one-way street

A one-eyed boy

A young man

A U.F.O ( unidentified flying objects)

A unanimous decision
Rule #3

The indefinite article “an” is used before a vowel sound.

Examples:

An eraser

An hour

An honor

An honest person

An X-ray

An heir

An engineer

The definite article: “ The”


Rule #1

The definite article “the” is used when the speaker talks about a specific thing that both the person
speaking and the listener know.

Examples:

The car over there is fast.

The president of the U.S.A is giving a speech.

The book is on the table.


Rule#2

The definite article is used with some names of oceans, rivers, countries, lakes, group of Islands,
mountains etc.

Examples:

The United States of America (U.S.A)

The United Kingdom (U.K)

The Philippines

The Dominican Republic (D.R)

The Turks and Caicos Islands (T.C.I)

The Bahamas

The Red Sea

The Pacific Ocean

The Ganga (river)

Rule #3

The definite article is used for things that are unique.

Examples:

The sun

The moon

The sky

The earth

The universe
N.B: When we talk about someone or something for the first time, we use the article “A/An”. The next
time we repeat them, we use the article “The”.

Examples:

I live in a house. The house is beautiful.

I met a girl this morning. The girl was so fine.

When not to use Articles

1- When we talk about plural nouns to mean “In general”.

Examples:

Girls like pink color.

Eagles don’t eat dead animals.

Dogs eat bones.

2- When we talk about uncountable nouns to mean in general.

Examples:

Air pollution is a big problem.

Fuel shortage is a major problem in Haiti.

3- When we talk about real nouns, proper names, names of languages, sports, subjects in class etc.

Examples:

Sarah is my sister.

I visited France last summer.

I don’t like mathematics.

Let’s play basketball.


I love English.

4- We use no articles with room + number.

These are your keys. You’re in room 223.

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