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Understanding English Articles

The document summarizes the different types of articles in English - the zero article, the definite article "the", and the indefinite articles "a" and "an". The zero article is used with plural nouns, uncountable nouns, places, and other specific cases. The definite article "the" refers to something specific or known. The indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used with singular countable nouns when they are non-specific or being mentioned for the first time. The choice between "a" and "an" depends on whether the following word begins with a vowel or consonant sound.

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Miloš Babák
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711 views1 page

Understanding English Articles

The document summarizes the different types of articles in English - the zero article, the definite article "the", and the indefinite articles "a" and "an". The zero article is used with plural nouns, uncountable nouns, places, and other specific cases. The definite article "the" refers to something specific or known. The indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used with singular countable nouns when they are non-specific or being mentioned for the first time. The choice between "a" and "an" depends on whether the following word begins with a vowel or consonant sound.

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Miloš Babák
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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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Articles

Articles (the/a/an) are used in English all the time, both in spoken and written form. The is
used to refer to specific or particular nouns. A/an are used to modify non-specific or non-
particular nouns. That’s why we call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.
Sometimes no article (zero article) is required.

Article Functions/Use Example Sentences

Zero Article 1. plural countable nouns 1. Dogs are smart.


(no article used) 2. uncountable nouns 2. I love coffee.
3. towns/cities 3. Have you been to Prague?
4. most countries 4. I’m going to visit Germany.
5. certain places 5. John is at university.
6. with “by” in transport 6. I go to work by Metro.
7. States/Provinces/ 7. Europe has such a rich history.
Continents
8. single mountain ranges 8. Mount Fuji is snow covered.

Definite Article 1. when known by all the 1. The party was great last night,
(the) people speaking wasn’t it?
2. when being specific 2. I need the blue marker.
3. something mentioned 3. The cat we saw last night is
earlier back again.
4. there is only one 4. The moon is bright tonight.
5. superlatives 5. She is the prettiest girl I know.
6. oceans, rivers, seas 6. The Atlantic Ocean is huge.
7. plural mountain ranges 7. We went skiing in the Alps.
8. Kingdoms, Republics 8. The United States is far away.
9. groups of Islands 9. I’ve been to the West Indies.
[Link] of people [Link] young; the blind; the poor
[Link] [Link] light bulb; the PC

Indefinite Article 1. use “a” before hard 1. a rope; a fence; a grape;


(a/an) consonant sounds * a university to be proud of
2. use “an” before soft vowel 2. an egg; an apple; an honest
sounds ** day’s work
3. singular, countable nouns 3. We have a dog too!
4. first time it’s mentioned 4. Is that a new watch?
5. to classify things 5. I’m a teacher.
6. with some numbers 6. There must be a billion stars!
7. when it doesn’t matter 7. Can you hand me a spoon,
which one please?

* ** If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the
initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article (e.g. an egg becomes a
broken egg; a door becomes an open door).

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