The document defines indefinite articles, definite articles, and zero articles in English. It provides rules for using each type of article and common errors that English language learners make with articles. Some key points include: - Indefinite articles (a, an) are used with non-specific singular count nouns. Definite articles (the) refer to particular nouns. There is no article with plural or uncountable nouns. - Languages vary in whether and how they use articles. Some have no articles while others only have definite or indefinite articles. - Rules govern the use of articles with nouns, including singular vs. plural, specific vs. non-specific references, proper nouns, categories vs

1. TDC 1 - Articles
Ana Lia Rea Moreira Salles Pinto e
Luciana Pereira Jardim Ceylão

2. Articles - Definitions
 Indefinite Article – the determiner a or an, which marks
an unspecified count noun.
 Give me a pen, please.
 I will be there in an hour.
 Definite Article - the determiner the, which refers to particular
nouns.
 The university is closed today.
 Zero Article - no article before a noun
 I like coffee.
 Dinner is served.

3. ELLs X Articles
 Languages that have no articles
 Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Polish, Russian,Thai,Vietnamese
 Languages that have only one definite article
 Arabic
 Languages that have the same articles as English but their
usage does not overlap exactly
 French, German, Spanish

4. Indefinite Articles - Rules
Use the indefinite articles a and an only before singular count
nouns. Use these articles with singular count nouns that are not
specific and are being mentioned for the first time.
Use a before a noun or an adjective (+noun) that begins with a
consonant sound
 a pen/ a blue pen
Use an before a noun or an adjective (+noun) that begins with a
vowel sound
 an idea/ an absurd idea
For words that begin with the letters H or U, the use of a and an
depends on the beginning sound of the word
 a hat / an hour
 a university / an umbrella

5. Definite Articles - Rules
 Use the to talk about something specific
 The umbrella next to the door is not mine.
 Use the when the speaker and listener are talking about the same
specific item
 William, don’t forget to close the refrigerator.
 Use the for the second and all other references to the same noun
 James and I bought a new computer last month. The computer let us access
the Internet really quickly.
 Use the with the superlative form of an adjective (most or –est)
 Diamonds are the most expensive jewelry.
 Use the for the names of countries that look plural or have the
words united, union, republic or kingdom
 the Philippines, the Netherlands, the United States, the Republic of Angola.

6. Definite Articles - Rules
 Use the for the parts of something (exception – body
parts)
 Her kitchen is beautiful. The refrigerator is silver and the stove is
black.
 Use the with most bodies of water except individuals
lakes
 the Mississippi River / the Pacific Ocean / the Great Lakes (but Lake
Michigan)
 Use the with geographic parts of the globe
 the equator / the Middle East / the Gobi Desert / the South

7. No Article - Rules
 When you want to talk about a category or group in
general, use no article.
 Cats can be great pets (general)
 The cats in the pet shop are expensive (specific)
 Use no article before abstract nouns such as feelings or ideas
 A person’s future success depends on education (not on the
education)
 Patience is a value (notThe patience)

8. Typical ELLs Errors
 Always use an article (a, an, the) before a singular count
noun
 A job, an apple, the reason, the best choice, a delicious
sandwich
 Always use the article an with a noun that begins with a
vowel sound.
 An hour, a heir, an honorable person
 Don’t use the with a plural count noun that refers to the
whole category
 *I don’t trust the politicians.

9. Typical ELLs Errors
 Overuse the when they want to refer to the whole category of
something
 *The basketball is my favorite sport.
 Use the with count nouns that refer to whole category
 *I can understand the nouns and the verbs much better.
 Use the with abstract nouns or ideas
 *People need the patience.
 *The education is the most important thing.
 Use a with non uncountable nouns
 *I will send you a feedback.
 Omit a before a count noun
 *Every family dreams about ___ comfortable and luxurious house.
 Omit an indefinite article before a profession
 *Mr. Mark is ___ teacher.

10. Ideas for Teaching
 Compare the use of articles in other languages with the
use of articles in the English language;
 Know that like prepositions, articles take great deal of
time to be acquired by ELLS;
 Know what to teach about articles according to the level
of your students – beginning, intermediate or advanced.