PRIMA JAYA TUITION CENTRE
YEAR 6 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
USING ARTICLES
INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A AND AN
"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is
indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For
Like adjectives, articles modify NOUNS.
English has two articles: the and a/an.
The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns
a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular
nouns.
example:
"My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas."
"Somebody call a policeman!"
"When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!"
Remember, using a or an depends on the sound
that begins the next word. So...
a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy;
a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
the = definite
article
Example:
an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an
elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound:
a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a
consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a
"Let's read the book," means to read a specific book.
unicycle
"Let's read a book," means to read any book rather
than a specific book.
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an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour ; an heir
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:
The can be used with uncountable nouns, or the
a broken egg, a skillful man
an unusual problem, an honest boy, an honourable
judge
Countable and uncountable nouns
a European country, a USB (universal serial bus)
Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles
article can be omitted entirely.
"I love to sail over the water." or "I love to sail over
water."
"He spilled the milk all over the floor." or "He spilled
milk all over the floor."
are used to indicate membership in a group:
I am a teacher.
"A/an" can be used only with singular countable
Brian is an Irishman.
nouns.
Seiko is a practicing Buddhist.
DEFINITE ARTICLE: THE
"I need a bottle of water."
"I need a new glass of milk."
Used before singular and plural nouns when the noun
is specific or particular.
Geographical use of the
There are some specific rules for using the with
"The dog that bit me ran away."
geographical nouns.
"I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!"
"I saw the white elephant at the zoo."
Do not use the before:
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names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico,
Bolivia; (except: the Netherlands, the Dominican
deserts, forests, gulfs, and peninsulas: the Sahara, the
Persian Gulf, the Black Forest, the Iberian Peninsula
Republic, the Philippines, the United States)
names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba,
Omission of Articles
Miami
names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St.
names of continents (Asia, Europe)
Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are:
Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese,
English, Spanish, Russian (unless you are referring to
the population of the nation: "The Spanish are known
for their warm hospitality.")
Do use the before:
names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific
points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole
geographical areas: the Middle East, the West
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Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball,
badminton
Names of academic subjects: mathematics, biology,
history, computer science