2.definite and indefinite articles

Definiteand
IndefiniteArticles
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Lesson Vocabulary!
Term Definition
Article One of the types of determiner.
Determiner A word that precedes a noun.
Shared knowledge Information everyone knows.

determiners
Words that precede a noun are called determiners.
Articles are determiners.
There are two articles:
1. definite article (the)
2. indefinite article (a/an).
The school in my neighbourhood
has windows in each classroom.
A school in my neighbourhood
should have windows in each
classroom.
3
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/ shared under CC0https://pixabay.com/photos/books-study-literature-learn-stack-2158737/ shared under CC0https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/ shared under CC0

determiners
Words that precede a noun are called determiners.
Other determiners include
1. Possessives
My book is lost.
2. Demonstratives
That book is lost.
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Rule 1
definite article: the
The definite article is used for
1. plural countable nouns
The cats were meowing.
2. singular countable nouns
The dog was barking.
3. uncountable nouns
The danger was real.
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Rule 2
indefinite article: a/an
The indefinite article a/an is
used for
1. singular countable nouns.
I own a cat and two dogs.
A/an means ‘one’.
I own one cat and two dogs.
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Rule 3
Use a before a word the
begins with a consonant.
I bought a lottery ticket.
Use an before a word that
begins with a vowel.
I bought an orange sweater.
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Rule 4
Some/any are the plural
versions of a/an. They are
both used for
1. plural countable nouns
I have some apples.
I’ll take any food you have.
2. uncountable nouns.
Do you have any advice?
Would you like some money?
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Rule 4
Use some when
you’re offering
Would you like some pineapples?
you’re describing an amount
I’d like some of your time.
Use any when
you’re asking a question
Are there any pineapples?
you’re giving a negative
I don’t want any pineapples, thanks. 9

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Summary
singular countable plural countable uncountable
apple apples rice
She has an apple.
They have the apple.
-
-
-
Here are the chairs.
Would you like some
apples?
Do you have any
apples?
-
Pass the rice.
Do you want some
rice?
I don’t want any rice.
some – for an amount and when offering
any – when questions and when giving a negative

Let’s practice!
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-bookstore-book-reading-shop-1204038/ shared under CC0

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1. I’d like __ tomato.
2. I’ll have ___ olives.
3. Do you have ___ classes on Monday?
4. I’d like __ tomatoes.
5. Do you want __ milk?
the – singular/plural countable and uncountable nouns
a/an – singular countable nouns
some/any – plural countable and uncountable nouns
https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/ shared under CC0

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1. I’d like a/the tomato. singular countable noun
2. I’ll have the/some olives. plural countable noun
3. Do you have any classes on Monday? plural countable and a question
4. I’d like the/some tomatoes. plural countable noun
5. Do you want some milk? uncountable noun and offering

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6. Pass __ milk.
7. Can you give me __ advice?
8. Do you make __ of the decisions?
9. I have __ class on Mondays.
10. Where can I find __ skates for my hockey team in this town?

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6. Pass the milk. uncountable noun
7. Can you give me some/any advice? uncountable noun and a question
8. Do you make some/any of the decisions? plural countable and a question
9. I have a/the class on Mondays. singular countable noun
10. Where can I find the/some skates for my hockey team in this town?
plural countable noun

Rule 5
Indefinite article: a/an
A/an is used when the noun
has a general meaning, or
when the identity of the noun
is unknown.
1. I think an animal is in the garage.
2. That man is a scoundrel.
3. We are looking for an apartment.
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Rule 6
The definite article is used
when everyone knows the
noun that is discussed.
1. Can we go to the park?
Asking about a specific park, not
parks generally.
2. Dad, can I borrow the car?
Asking about the family car, not just
any car.
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Rule 7
when talking about a specific
item/place.
1. Where is the bathroom?
2. My father enjoyed the
book you gave him.
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Rule 8
when talking about a unique,
or famous, item.
1. We are going to see the Statue
of Liberty this weekend.
2. The sun rose at 6:17 this
morning.
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Rule 9
when a noun has already
been mentioned.
1. I ate an apple yesterday. The
apple was juicy and delicious.
2. On Monday, an unarmed man
stole $1,000 from the bank. The
thief hasn't been caught yet.
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the most important idea
indefinite article “a/an”
“Indefinite” means not clearly
defined.
The indefinite article is used for
when you’re talking about
something in a general way.
I’d like a better job.
definite article “the”
“Definite” means easily
understood, or something that is
certain.
The definite article is used when
you’re talking about something in
a specific way.
I’d like the job my boss has.
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Review the idea
Does the speaker care what park they visit?
Can we go to the park?
Can we go to a park?
22https://pixabay.com/photos/books-pages-story-stories-notes-1245690/ shared under CC0

Review the idea
Does the speaker care what park they visit?
Can we go to the park?
Yes, it is a specific park.
Can we go to a park?
No, it is any park.

Review the idea
Is the speaker talking about a specific
restaurant?
Here is the restaurant.
Here is a restaurant.

Review the idea
Is the speaker talking about a specific
restaurant?
Here is the restaurant.
A specific place that we both know.
Here is a restaurant.
Not specific place, and not known to
everyone.

Summary
the rules
A/an is used when
1. the noun has a general meaning, or
when the identity of the noun is
unknown.
The is used when
2. everyone knows the noun that is
discussed.
3. talking about a specific item/place.
4. talking about a unique, or famous,
item.
5. a noun has already been mentioned.
26https://pixabay.com/illustrations/artificial-intelligence-brain-think-4389372/ shared under CC0

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1. __ class last week was a lot of fun.
2. Taking __ science course is a good idea, but I’m not sure which to choose.
3. We went to __ Louvre and saw __ Mona Lisa.
4. I was out the other day and I found __ ten dollar bill on the street.
I couldn't decide whether to keep __ money or hand it in.
5. He is __ doctor I came to see.
6. I went to __ movie alone.
A/an
1. The noun has a general meaning, or the identity of the
noun is unknown.
The
2. The noun is shared knowledge, specific noun,
unique/famous noun, already mentioned

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1. The class last week was a lot of fun. shared knowledge
2. Taking a science course is a good idea, but I’m not sure which to choose.
general noun and identity unknown
3. We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa. unique/famous
4. I was out the other day and I found a ten dollar bill on the street.
I couldn't decide whether to keep the money or hand it in.
already mentioned
5. He is the doctor I came to see. specific person
6. I went to a/the movie alone. general/specific item
A/an
noun is unknown.
The

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7. I live in __ small house with a blue door.
I live in __ small house.
8. __ apple a day keeps the doctor away!
9. Where can I find __ cup of coffee in this town?
10. Pass ___ last jar of strawberry jam.
11. __ tomato is rotten.
12. __ furniture will be delivered tomorrow.
A/an
noun is unknown.
The

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7. I live in the small house with a blue door. specific noun
I live in a small house. general noun and identity unknown
8. An apple a day keeps the doctor away! general
9. Where can I find a cup of coffee in this town?
general meaning and identity unknown
10. Pass the last jar of strawberry jam. specific noun
11. The tomato is rotten. specific noun
12. The furniture will be delivered tomorrow. specific noun
A/an
noun is unknown.
The

Questions?
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Thankyou!
Nastashya Wall
204-946-5140 ex. 201
nwall@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca

2.definite and indefinite articles

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