Articles (a, an, the, none)

- By the end of the lesson, I will be able to identify the articles a/an/the in English.

- By the end of the lesson, I will be able to read short sentences and use the correct article (definite, indefinite, zero) with the noun.

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific.

For example:

- a book (this book is unspecific... just a random book.)

- an orange (unspecific)

- the Sun (there is only one... it is specific.)

‘A’ is used before a singular noun beginning

with a consonant sound.

Example: b,c,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,p,q,r,s,t,v,w,x,y,z

*a means one so this is how you can remember that you have to use it with a singular noun.

e.g. a boat and not a boats because there is only one.

Article ‘an’ is used before a singular noun that starts with a vowel sound –

a, e, i, o, u.

Example:

An aeroplane

An elephant

An igloo

An octopus

An umbrella

If the singular noun starts with a vowel but not a vowel sound, use a and not an.

university, uniform, one, euro, ... all start with a vowel but not a vowel sound so it's a university, a uniform, etc.

Article the is used before a noun that is specific or unique.

Example:

The Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Mall

Usually a specific noun comes after an unspecific noun.

For example:

Here is a painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. The painting is called the Mona Lisa.

We can use the with both singular and plural specific nouns!

My uncle has drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci. The drawings are very expensive.

When we are talking about more than one unspecified thing (noun), we don't use any articles.

For example:

My uncle has drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci.

I have books.