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Articles Presentation 1

Articles are words used before nouns to indicate whether the noun is definite or indefinite. There are three articles in English: the, a/an, and no article. The choice of article depends on whether the noun is definite or indefinite, countable or uncountable, and singular or plural. The definite article "the" is used for nouns that are unique or clearly specified based on context. The indefinite articles "a" or "an" are used for nonspecific nouns, with "a" preceding consonant sounds and "an" preceding vowel sounds. No article is used for plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.

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66 views

Articles Presentation 1

Articles are words used before nouns to indicate whether the noun is definite or indefinite. There are three articles in English: the, a/an, and no article. The choice of article depends on whether the noun is definite or indefinite, countable or uncountable, and singular or plural. The definite article "the" is used for nouns that are unique or clearly specified based on context. The indefinite articles "a" or "an" are used for nonspecific nouns, with "a" preceding consonant sounds and "an" preceding vowel sounds. No article is used for plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns.

Uploaded by

witcher2
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Use of Articles

Articles are words used in front of nouns


to identify them as being . . .

general
(indefinite)
a woman
specific
(definite)
the woman in the
library
or
In English,
there are three choices
involving articles:
the smoking
chicken
chickens
a chicken
the, putting nothing. a/an,
When choosing
which of the three to use,
(the, a/an, nothing)
we need to take
three things
into consideration:
1.Is the noun definite
or indefinite?


2. Is it countable
or uncountable?


3. Is it singular or plural?
Definite vs. indefinite
A definite noun is one that is recognized specifically
by both
the giver and the receiver
of the message.
Look! the White House
When a noun is definite,
the object is unique
to both
the giver and the receiver,
and you use the article the.
Heres the teddy bear, Jeff.
Ill get you the book.
The person
who says this sentence
knows that the person who hears it
already knows which book he is referring to.
You use the definite article:

- when the noun is intrinsically unique
(there is only one).

The sun is at the center of our solar system.


- Or when the context makes it clear what is
being talked about, so it becomes unique.

I saw a man and a woman
at the park yesterday.
The man looked just like you.



Who was the first man on
the moon?

A noun is indefinite when
either the giver or the receiver
of the information
does not have
a specific thing in mind.
I brought you a book.
(one out of many possible presents and books)
The indefinite article is often used
to classify and define things.
A poodle is a type of dog.
Mrs. Jonas is an English teacher.
When a noun is indefinite,
what will be used in front of the noun
will depend on the kind of noun it is:
Singular or plural Countable or uncountable
When the noun is countable and singular,
use :
a an
(in front of words beginning or (in front of words beginning
with a consonant sound) an with a vowel sound)
dog
university
hotel
owl
herb
hour
clothes
bags
pets
dishes
pans
pictures
people
shoes
socks
players
When the noun is countable and plural,
use nothing.

When the noun is uncountable,
use nothing.

fish
light
sand
ice
freedom
emptiness
water
sky
beauty
food
Determiners:
With definite nouns: THE
With indefinite, singular, nouns:
1. with vowels sound: AN
2. with consonant sound: A
With indefinite, plural nouns and
noncountable nouns:
NOTHING

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