Articles
a
the
an
OBJECTIVE:
- TO STATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE ARTICLES A, AN, AND THE.
What is an article
•It is an adjective.
•It modifies a
noun.
Definite Article
•The – refers to
specific or particular
nouns .
For example:
• I enjoyed participating in the
volleyball competition
The above sentence refers to a particular or
specific competition.
• I enjoyed watching the show
The sentence refers to a particular or specific
show.
Indefinite articles: 'a' or 'an'
• Refers to a non-specific noun.
• The children are playing a game
outdoors.
(it refers any game)
• The artist is painting a picture.
(it refers to any picture)
When to use'the'
• Names of rivers, oceans and
seas.
• The Red Sea
• Points on the globe
• The equator
When to use the'
• Parts of the world
–The Middle East
–The south
• Deserts & forests
–The Sahara Desert
–The Mandai forest
•When to use 'a'
• Before words that begin with
consonants.
– a cat
– a pencil
– a bag
When to use 'an'
• Before silent 'h'
– an honest man
– an honourable person
When to use 'an'
• Before all words that begin with
the vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o” “u”
– an egg
– an ant
When to use 'an'
• Before all words that begin with
the vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o” “u”
– an ice-cream
– an orange
Use “a” when ........
• When “u” makes the same
sound as the “y” in you.
– a uniform
– a used plate
Use “a” when ........
• “o” makes the same sound as
“w” in “won”
– a one-eyed monster
A Quiz
Use a, an or the in each sentence.
• Ismael spoke to
woman
who had waved to him (a / the)
• My mother bought me
expensive watch (a / an)
• Chery borrowed
book from
the library.(a / an)
A Quiz – Self check
Use a, an or the in each sentence.
• Ismael spoke to the
waved to him (a / the)
woman who had
• My mother bought me
watch (a / an)
an
• Chery borrowed
(a / an)
book from the library.
a
expensive
More …
• Ali wore
new uniform to
school. (a / an)
• Did you see
new car
which my father bought? (the/a)
• Kiran is
Indian girl. (a /
an)
More … - Self-check
• Ali wore a
new uniform to
school. (a / an)
• Did you see a
new car
which my father bought? (the/a)
• Kiran is an Indian girl. (a /
an)
More …
• Singapore lies quite near to
equator. (the / an)
• Liying has travelled across
Atlantic Ocean. (an /the)
More … - Self-check
• Singapore lies quite near to
the equator. (the / an)
• Liying has travelled across
the
Atlantic Ocean. (an
/the)