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Definite & Indefinite Articles

The document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles in English grammar. It explains that there are three articles: a, an, and the. The definite article "the" is used when the identity of the noun is known, while the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used when the noun's identity is not known. It provides rules for using indefinite articles depending on whether the following noun begins with a vowel or consonant sound. The document also lists situations that use definite and indefinite articles as well as situations where articles are omitted before nouns. An exercise with examples of article usage is included.

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99 views4 pages

Definite & Indefinite Articles

The document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles in English grammar. It explains that there are three articles: a, an, and the. The definite article "the" is used when the identity of the noun is known, while the indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used when the noun's identity is not known. It provides rules for using indefinite articles depending on whether the following noun begins with a vowel or consonant sound. The document also lists situations that use definite and indefinite articles as well as situations where articles are omitted before nouns. An exercise with examples of article usage is included.

Uploaded by

EmanAbdel-Haq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: ______________ Subject: English

Date: / 9 / 2020 Topic: Grammar


Grade: 10 National “Definite & Indefinite Articles”
___________________________________________________________________

→Definite and Indefinite Articles

In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns. The definite
article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader.
The indefinite article (a or an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not
known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.

→Definite article

the (before a singular or plural noun)

→Indefinite article

a (before a singular noun beginning with a consonant sound)


an (before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound)
For the purposes of understanding how articles are used, it is important to know that nouns can be
either count (can be counted) or non-count(indefinite in quantity and cannot be counted). In
addition, count nouns are either singular (one) or plural (more than one). Non-count nouns are
always in singular form.

→Rule #1 when to use (a,an): 

Use the indefinite article a or an only with a singular count noun whose specific identity is not
known to the reader. Use a before nouns that begin with a consonant sound, and use an before
nouns that begin with a vowel sound.

 Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.


I think  an  animal is in the garage.
That man is  a  thief.
We are looking for  an  apartment.
 Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).
I own  a  cat and two dogs.
 Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound.
a  boy,  an  apple
◊ Sometimes an adjective comes between the article and noun:
an  unhappy boy,  a  red apple

Rule #2 –when to use (the): 

→Additional Information Regarding the Use of Articles


We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader
knows exactly what we are referring to:

 because there is only one:


The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
Who is the president of France?

 because we have already mentioned it:


A young man got a nasty shock when he tried to rob a jewellery shop in Richmond. The
man used a heavy hammer to smash the windows in the shop.

 to say something about all the things referred to by a noun:


The wolf is not really a dangerous animal. (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals.)
The kangaroo is found only in Australia. (= Kangaroos are found only in Australia.)

 to talk about musical instruments:


Joe plays the piano really well.
She is learning the guitar.

 to refer to a system or service:
How long does it take on the train?
I heard it on the radio.
You should tell the police.

 With adjectives like rich, poor, elderly and unemployed to talk about groups of people: 


Life can be very hard for the poor.
I think the rich should pay more taxes.
She works for a group to help the disabled.

 Before names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific


 Before geographical areas: the Middle East, the West
 with ranges of mountains like the Andes or the Rockies, the Himalayas
 with some countries like: the united states of America, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the
United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom
 in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, the kitchen, the bathroom
 with superlative adjectives: the tallest, the most difficult

Rule #3–when to omit articles: 


 before Abstract/Uncountable Noun:

He was full of wisdom in his older years.

She does not add sugar to her coffee.

All children have the right to get education.

 before Plural Nouns

Some students are waiting for you by the door.

 before Proper Nouns of people,countries, cities, subjects, meals, and languages.

It was Alex whole ate the candy.

It was his wish to visit London one time in his life.

India is a beautiful country.

French is a tough language to master.

Dinner will be served shortly.

I was never very good at Maths.

→Exercise

A. Fill in the correct article (A , AN or THE) where necessary – or leave blank !


1. ___________ Moon goes round _____________ Earth every 27 days.
2. _________________ Soviet Union was ____________first country to send
____________ man into __________space.
3. Did you see ___________film on ____________ television or at ___________
cinema?
4. I'm not very hungry, I had ______________ big breakfast.
5. I never listen to _________ radio. In fact, I haven't got _____________ radio.
6. What is ______________ highest mountain in the world?
7. It was ______________ long voyage. We were at _____________ sea for four weeks.
8. Look at _________________ apples on that tree. They're very large.
9. ___________________ women are often better teachers than _____________men.
10. In Britain ________________ coffee is more expensive than _________________tea.
11. We had ________________ very nice meal. _____________ cheese was especially
good.
12. They got married but ____________ marriage wasn't very successful.
13. I know someone who wrote a book about _______________life of Gandhi.
14. __________________ life would be very difficult without
_________________electricity.
15. ______________________ Second World War ended in 1945.
16. Do you know ____________________ people who live next door?
17. Are you interested in __________________art or _______________architecture?
18. Don't stay in that hotel. _________________ beds are very uncomfortable.
19. I hate ___________violence.
20. John himself doesn't go to _____________mosque.
21. After ________________work Ann usually goes home.
22. When Ann was ill, we went to _____________________ hospital to visit her.
23. _________________ British Prime Minister lives in ___________Downing Street 10.
24. _______________________Tate Gallery is the main modern art museum in London.
25. Have you ever visited _____________________ Tower of London?

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