31

GRAMMAR

Articles 1

Indefinite article: a/an

Use a/an:

@ when the listener does not know which person or thing we are talking about.
Tim works in a factory. (we don't know which factory)
Tim works in the factory down the road. (we know which factory)

@ to describe something.
It’s a lovely day. Kazakhstan is an enormous country.
Note these two ways of saying the same thing:
An ocelot is a wild animal, similar to a leopard.
Ocelots are wild animals, similar to leopards.

e@ to describe the job or the character of a person. x

Mary is an engineer. Peter is a fool!

@ If we refer to something for the first time, it will be new information for the listener
and so we use a/an. Other references to the same thing use the because now the
listener knows what we are talking about.
I’ve bought a new mobile phone. It’s great. The phone connects to the Internet.

@ A/An mean ‘one, so we cannot use a/an with uncountable nouns.

I’ve got a brother and a sister. (not two)
Can you give me some information? (not atrinformatiom)

@ Note that a/an are unstressed, and are pronounced /9/ and /an/.

Zero article (no article)

Use zero article:

@ with plurals and uncountable nouns to talk generally.

Dogs are not allowed in this shop. (dogs in general)
The dogs next door bark all night. (some particular dogs)
Milk is good for you. (milk in general)
The milk on the top shelf is fat-free. (we know which milk)
Materials: This chair is made ofplastic and leather.
Food and drink. __I love chocolate. I don't like orange juice.
Abstract ideas: War is a terrible thing.
Languages: Spanish is spoken by about 300 million people.
Activities: Speaking is not permitted during the examination.
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 GRAMMAR 31 ARTICLES 1

with most countries, states and cities.

Marie comes from France. Los Angeles is in California.
Countries which are a group or plural have a definite article.
We left the United Kingdom and crossed to the Netherlands.
Note also that Great Britain has zero article.

with geographical areas, lakes, mountains and islands.

We visited Lake Victoria. Its in East Africa. They climbed Mt. Everest in record time.
Helen spent her holidays on Crete.

with most streets.

I bought this dress from a shop in Bond Street.
We use the for the phrase the High Street (the main shopping street in a town).

with names of buildings with a place name before.

We visited Blenheim Palace and Coventry Cathedral.
We use the when there is a phrase with of after the noun.
We visited the Houses of Parliament.

with names, but the is used with titles.

Carol Parker is the Minister of Communications.

with meals when we refer to them in general.

Dinner is at 7.30.
Compare with these examples where we are not talking generally:
At the end of the conference there wasa dinner. (mentioned for first time)
The dinner they serve here is really fantastic. (we know which dinner)

with general historical references.

Prehistoric Europe/Ancient Rome is a fascinating period of history.

with by for general forms of transport.

We went there by car.
Compare with these examples where we are not talking generally:
We went there in a really old car. (mentioned for first time)
We went there in the car my sister uses. (we know which car)
Note also that we say on foot.

with certain buildings, where the purpose of the building is more important than the
place itself.
Jim is in prison. (which prison is not important)
My company is rebuilding the prison. (one particular building)
Words of this type are:
be in or go to hospital, prison, bed, class, court
be at or go to work, school, university, sea
with ‘home’ be at home, go home

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INTERMEDIATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

See Grammar 32 for activities including the.

1 Underline the errors in these sentences. Rewrite each sentence.

1 Have you ever visited United Kingdom?
HTAWE. Yl. AVEC VISHEOA, EINE IALEOA LAA QIN. ccssssceesceeseennensnssnnnnsnnsceeneceeees
2 On our trip, we visited the Canterbury Cathedral.
eee ee eee eee Creer eee rere eee rere er eee errr eer errr errer rere rer rer errr rrr rrr

Seem meee eee eee eee eee ee eee eee eee eee OE OEE EHO OEE SHED ESOS EEE HESS EEEE EEE EEEHESES SEEDED EE EESEESESEESESHSEESEOEHSSHEOSESESHSEOESESOESEESESSSSEEEEOH EDS

POeeeeeeeee eee ree ere ere eeerererr err re rrr rrr rere err rr rrr rrr rrr rere rrr errr reer

Boece eee ree ee rece e eee e ee eee ees ee EEE OEE EEEHESESESEEHEEESSESESESEEEEOESES EHH SE EHH DOEEEEEE SHEE SESESESOREESEESEETSSEESSOEEHHSEHSHSESHHHHSHEOH ESS

eee e eer e eee cece e reer ree ee eee ease eee eee EEE ee ESCO SES EEEHE SOE ESEESE SESS ESTEE E EES HOETES OEE EE EEHOEEESSESEOSEEESSEHSSSESESOEEESESEESESEESEESSES

2 Put a/an in each space, or leave the space blank.

a ==... love makes the world go round. ‘
2 Sheila has got ....c5: German car.
3 Ritanworksdn 0. OMIGe ine os West Street.
4 cTNegoerRaes:friend who is ........... electrician.
D Faull GOES Ons...0,.. special School Tor .......... musicians.
6 Jack is myc. hospital and can't go to ........... school.
7 Valerie wants to go to ........... university and study to be........... doctor.

3 For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as
the first, using no more than three words.
1 Mary teaches English.
Mat aiecece cass, SoC a neta English teacher.
2 Charles has a factory job.
GATES VON vaiass Actetsesdinncrnaei ravenna factory.
3 You are not allowed to park here.
ee ee ee re eee not allowed here.
4 Fabio is ona ship at the moment.
AUTH NMOMNOU ie stra.) <i; creeped aabkvee sea.
5 We walked to the station.
We Welton e cone
ate ere ee foot.

= SEE ALSO
Grammar 30: Countable and uncountable nouns

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 ES SS —

GRAMMAR

Articles 2

Definite article: the

Use the:

when it is clear which thing or person we are talking about. The points below explain
this in more detail. Compare:
The war between the two countries lasted for six weeks. (we know which war)
War is a terrible thing. (war in general, so zero article)

when we refer to something that we mentioned before, using a/an.

We saw a good film last night. It was the new film by Tim Burton.
We can use the to refer to something for the first time if it is clear which one we mean
from the context.
Wheres the newspaper?

with phrases including of which give more information about the noun. Compare:
The film was about the love of a girl for her cat.
Love is a wonderful thing! (love in general, so zero article)

when there is only one of something. It is clear which one we mean.

How many astronauts have landed on the moon?

for nationalities and other groups.

I really admire the Italians.
The old, the sick and the unemployed need our special care.

Other uses of the:

Playing musical instruments: Do you play the guitar?
Time: in the past/in the future
But: at present
Superlatives: This is the biggest one. / You are the first.
Fixed phrases: The sooner the better.
Names of ships: We sailed on the Neptune.
Oceans: the Pacific, the Atlantic
Rivers: the Amazon, the Danube

The is usually pronounced /6a/ before consonants and /0i:/ before vowels.
the beginning the end

137
INTERMEDIATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Includes practice of Grammar 31 and 32.

1 Underline the correct word in each sentence.

1 Where's an/the electric heater? I can't find it.
What happened at an/the end of a/the film?
David has an/the appointment at a/the opticians.
An/The old person sometimes feels lonely.
Peter built a/the largest model plane in a/the world.
Luckily a/the fire brigade soon came and put out a/the fire.
Harry’s mother bought him a/the guitar for his birthday present.
I'm thinking of buying a/the new pair of trousers.
Come
UT
BA
WL
WK
—
N In the end there was a/the war between the two countries.
_ i—) I didn't know an/the answer to a/the question, so | left it out.

2 For each question, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar
meaning to the first sentence.
1 Frances is a very good pianist.
Frances cere PLAYS. EINE PLA. ..ccecccccsccsseeneeeee very well.
Poor people need help from the Government.
The Gavernimentc OU decent cei cee rc eee ene poor.
Tracey's bike is faster than everyone else's.
ERAGEYS cee etree nace eee Ce ee ree Cece, fastest.
Tom has a doctor’s appointment.

The film was about an artist’s life.

Pie Lib Soka Pei oe of an artist.
The only goal of the match was scored by Italy.
EINE Olly; COa Or ENG MATCHING xtc vessiserccter tastecaves nce y ati Seonera amen ae Italians.

3 Put a/an/the in each space, or leave the space blank.

1 .1é.. President is ..4é.. largest cruise ship in ...khé.. world.
Everyone in yen: class agreed that ........... happiness was important.
Dheresevas strange person at ........... door.
Someone who saw ........... robbery called ........... police.
Aiea ie beginning Of 0.4... HUN secret tall man sat in front of me.
LH
WwW
ee
Nn When arrived at «..0%: lations batetn nee sandwich and waited for ee eeeeees

Geet person with ........... good education usually gets ........... good job.
Have yOu S€eM 1... new film at ........... Embassy cinema?

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 GRAMMAR 32 ARTICLES 2

4 Put a/an/the in each space, or leave the space blank.

1 The/-. Italians eat ....4..... lot of ....7.... spaghetti.
Di Nisstata. most people thought that ........... Beatles were 2,:),... very good group.
3 LT usually drink ........... slags ane: pollen 2. n morning.
What's cscad-x difference betweentty 2.24 rabbit'and 3. hae hare?
BN wee first person who crosses ........... finishing line is ........... winner.
Or eases, Playing wo... PUTCO 1S). Interesting At. See hobby.
De oh Rebecca got on tacccss bus and bought ........... ticket.
ES Acaa newspaper shop at........... €nd 00 ati.: street,
|Face ae Past, MOStol .-.5, population lived in ........... country.
TOD needed 5a... new pair of trousers so my mother gave me............ money.
Lie ope only: boole bread nc 1.0. last month was ........... DOVE! DY Eh tte. famous
Italian author.
12? :Stie was inl! .7. Aen hospital with ........... broken leg and missed ........... exam.

5 Correct the errors in these sentences by adding or removing a/an/the.

1 Could you get loaf of bread from baker’s?
sa POULA
YOU. Bet A.LOAF OF Dr eAA FLOM. ENE WARIS? ccseseseesceccesssssssssenesneneen

10 Jim is studying the maths and wants to be teacher.

11 We went to the USA for holiday and had good time.

12 When I’mat the home in evening I like to listen to radio.

rrr rr rrr rrr rrr rrrrr rer rrr rrerrr rere eee eee rer rrr errr rrr rrr re rrr
INTERMEDIATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

6 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence.
1 I didn’t expect to see Helen.
PreeeeOeCee eee ry rus coer tere rr rer eer sere eed Cee ey

3 Nick teaches chemistry.

NICK: 16 esheets ccc ce corte span yee sane seen ooise s-opbc eerie teacher.
4 My friends gave me a wonderful present.
saathoe cnsae hes cd Des BTN ape ASP PEA CERN SOE gave me was wonderful.
5 The Australian capital is Canberra.
Canela c1a. icccnczeussteitaces
Ree cease tea Rscaigrece Australia.
6 The French lesson is the first tomorrow.

7 Someone is phoning you.

TERCT ES,SOMEONE Chi cacae creer oo Meo aes san sn ssa a saceeasesh sess sts toaresue eevee
8 We saw avery entertaining film last night.
sybassnusdehabedauanousheaestaaapabents eu eiaaes feral san dcessepcaPxopay was very entertaining.

7 In each pair of sentences, fill in one space with the and the other space with a
dash (-) to show no article.
1 a) For me.....=..... football is my life.
b) ....M8é..... football in the second division is a much lower standard.
2 aye heysay that :.2.10. love makes the world go round.
by They say that.....27:: love of a mother for her child is the strongest kind.
Beet) aeloeaes information in this article will be very useful for my project.
Ve. information about the Government's defence plans is hard to find.
EEE Nome students in my new class all seem very friendly.
Dy ceca students should be in their classes by 9.00.
5 ea) UNM CCG eee help!
b) Thanks very much for ........... help you gave me yesterday.
6 al) ahaa computers in the January sale are not too expensive.
b) These days everybody needs to know how to use ........... computers.
He a) presen English are famous for their strange sense of humour.
Das English programmes are quite easy to find: on satellite TV.
8 a) Many of my friends are studying ........... business at university.
b) My father is involved in ........... business of buying and selling houses.

— SEE ALSO
Grammar 35: Making comparisons

140
INTERMEDIATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

I go to the seaside in policeman/ 4 The/-, a, -

summer. policewoman —, the, a
2 Ive been at this school a, —, the
since 2009.
Grammar 31 the, a, a
3 George had a bath and 1 1 Have you ever visited » The, the, the
then washed his hair. the United Kingdom? —, the, an, —
4 Dina was at my house On our trip, we visited -; the, a
until 10.00./Dina Canterbury Cathedral. a, the, the
didn't leave my house Love is a wonderful the, the, the
CONADAARWNHH
until 10.00. thing. 10 a, the
5 The train arrived on Pets are not permitted 11 The, -, a, a
time. in this hotel. 12 -,a, the
6 [llarrive by 2.00. A rabbit is a small ail Could you get a loaf
of
7 Paul tried hard but wild furry animal bread from the baker’?
in the end he gave up./ with long ears./ 2 Milk is good for
he gave up in the end. Rabbits are small wild children.
8 I wasn't in time to say furry animals with 3 John is at work at the
goodbye to Lisa. long ears. moment.
5 1 last 5 one/some New York is in the 4 We travelled to
2 During 6 on United States of Hungary by car.
3 After 7 afterwards America. 5 Have you got a
4 for 8 at brother or sister?
The war between the
Grammar 30 two countries was the
1 1 Howmuch 2 are longest in history.
3 some 4 some Who was the first
5 much 6 How many astronaut who walked
Ta 8 was -,a on the moon?
2, 1-an 5 many/- is an 8 The Nile is the longest
2a 6a ina river in the world.
3 some 7 some Parking is 9 The first time I saw
4 - 8 any/many Fabio is at Kate I knew she was
3 1 give you some advice WN
WB
DD the station on
ANPWNFHMN the girl for me!
2 any clean trousers 10 Jim is studying maths
3 There isn’t much Grammar 32 and wants to be a
4 needs washing 1 1 the 6 the, the teacher.
5 was no useful 2 thestnes “7a 11 We went to the USA
information 3 an,the 8 a for a holiday and had
4 1 some wood 4 An 9a a good time.
2 There was 5 the,the 10 the, the 12 WhenIm at home in
3 any 2 1 plays the piano the evening I like to
4 achicken 2 help the listen to the radio.
3. bike is the 6 1 Helen was the
5 was very useful
6 How many 4 has an appointment at 2 you have a dog at
the 3 achemistry
7 It’s green
8 they’re on their way 5 was about the life 4 The present (that/
9 noise 6 was scored by the which) my friends
3 1 The, the, the 5. is the capital of
5 1 water
2 the, - 6 The first lesson
2 news
3 a, the tomorrow is
3 glasses
4 the, the 7 the phone for you
4 luggage
5 the, the, a 8 The film (that/which)
5 eggs
6 the, a, the we saw last night
6 scissors
T. aA a 7 1la)- b) The
7 loaf
8 police officer/ 8 the, the 2 a)- b) the
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 GRAMMAR ANSWERS

3 a) The b) - 3 a beautiful red silk 6 Too much exercise can

4 a) The be dress make you feel tired.
5 a)- b) the 4 a pair of antique silver 7 Paula felt happy when
6 a) The b) - jugs her exams were over.
7 a) The b) = 5 asmall plastic bowl 8 Carlos has never
8 a)- b) the 6 along winding arrived late at school.
G country road 9 One boxer hit the
rammar 33 7 some dirty old other really hard right
1 1 no 4 Some football boots on the chin.
2 each 5 either 8 along yellow cotton 10 I’m not really
: :Not one : Ate Bi= skirt interested in this car.
not one a SBS 9 aglass of cold freshly
2 no > none squeezed orange juice Grammar 35
3 2A] 6 either 2 1 boiling 6 fantastic 1 1 as tasty as
3 1 Every dog in the 2 gigantic 7 worried 2 the most interesting
garden was barking. acted ewarinet 3 oldest
2 Nota single person Avcael 9 hored 4 than
came to the meeting. 5 exciting 10 interested 5 worse
3 None of my friends 1 The old couple lived 6 tallest
has got a car. happily together. 7 as hard as
4 Neither of these chairs +) Vourve. worked hard. 8 worse
is comfortable. 2. Ghris and Baul walk 9 longer than
5 There were no boys in slowly. 10 more quietly
the class. 4 Georgia plays the 2 1 the longest
6 All we want to do is piano well. 2 less entertaining
try our new computer 5 Sue dances gracefully. 3 faster than
game, 6 Kate isn't well/doesnt 4 the hottest
7 Both books are eelralk 5 better than
interesting. Gia Machaelisicated 6 (just) as tall as
4 1 None of these books wonderfully. 7 more difficult
is/are interesting. 8 Mary writes carefully. 8 as large as
2 All you have left is ten 9 Alex slept badly. 9 not as big as/just as
minutes. 10 Ann completed the big as/bigger than
3 Neither of the hotels course successfully. / 10 the worst
was/were suitable. Ann successfully 3 1 as good a runner as
4 Nota single person completed the course. David (is)
replied to my letter. 1 happy 6 fast 2 tallest (person) in the
5 Both Paul and his Devel 7 quite class
brother David are ill. 3 hardly 8 _hard 3. more than me/than I
6 All of the team played 4 good % terrible have
well. 6 ail 10 extremely 4 longer than Jane's
7 Every house in the 1 Perephias been (hair)
street was searched working very hard. 5 noisiest student in the
(by the police). 2 My sister bought me school
8 Some of the questions a lovely blue woollen 6 as interesting as this
in the test were eweater. one (is)
difficult/hard. 3. This book I’m reading 7 go faster than this/go
Sol ged, 3b e4 aciaiob foercelicntiestremel any faster
Zabe Sab good. 8 eat as much as Helen
4 David felt bad because (did)
SPRL Lh hed shouted at his 4 1 just as, as
1 1 alarge old green deere 2 the most
plastic bag 5 Everyone in the team 3 more/less, than, did
2 two square wooden played well: 4 more
tables ok
295