2. 1.1. Definition :
A definite article helps to limit the meaning of one specific thing.
We use “THE” to refer to a specific noun.
THE can be used both for a singular noun or a plural noun. Also
we use it for both countable and uncountable nouns.
For example: The dog is black ---- the dogs are black.
The information is good
I. Definite articles
3. Sentence Explanation
- The cat is black
- Give me the pen, please.
- Can you go to the supermarket?
- The houses on the left are very
big.
In each of these sentences,
we are talking about a
specific noun.
This means that the speaker
and the person who is
listening always know which
one we are talking about.
4. 2.1. Definition
An indefinite article indicates that we are speaking in a general
manner. Meaning we are not being specific. We use two main
articles “A” (which is used with words starting with consonants)
and “AN” ( which is used with words starting with vowels.
For example: A dog is black ---- dogs are black.
An Apple is round ----- Apples are round
II. Indefinite articles
5. Sentence Explanation
- A dog is cute and
small.
- An egg is White and
oval.
- A house is a place
where you can live
- An elephant is not
very Smart.
In each of these sentences, we are not
being specific.
We are actually speaking in general
matter, where we are referring to any
dog, any egg, any house and any
elephant.
Neither the speaker nor the listener
know which noun, specifically, we are
talking about.
6. 3.1. Definition
The zero article means that we do not put any article in front of
the noun. This only happens with countable nouns in plural and
with uncountable nouns. We have this situation when we are
talking about abstract ideas and when we are generalising the
description of a noun.
For example: Music is the best thing ever.
Apples are healthy.
III. Zero article
7. Sentence Explanation
- Cars help to get from
one place to another
- Milk is good for the
bones.
- Chickens do not fly.
- Love is in the air.
For these example, as we can see
we do not use any article, no definite
or no indefinite article.
This is because we are talking about
general things that do not depend on
people.
For example: Cars help to get from
one place to another ----- here we
are talking about all the cars in the
world and it applies for everyone.
8. Créditos
Tecnológico nacional de México
Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de
Cuautitlán Izcalli
Coordinación del Área de
Educación a Distancia
