The document discusses the different types of articles in English - indefinite articles, definite articles, and zero articles. It provides examples of when each type of article is used, such as using "a" or "an" with singular countable nouns being mentioned for the first time, and "the" being used with nouns mentioned for a second or subsequent time. Special cases for using "the" are also outlined, such as with superlatives or proper names of countries. Exercises are included for practice identifying the correct article to use in different sentences.

1. English Articles: Indefinite , Definite and Zero
article.

2. Preliminary notions
June 5, 2013
The article
• Depends of the kind of noun
Contable
chair
farm
Incontable
rice
wheat
* HOW WE USE
THE NOUN (FIRST
TIME, SECOND
TIME, ETC.

3. Indefinite article: a/an
a/an
With singular
countable
nouns
You mention a person, place or thing for the first time.
• I’m reading about an engineer.
You are not refering to a particular person, place or thing.
• Let’s buy a kilo of potatoes.

4. Indefinite article: a/an
No article/some
With plural
countable nouns
and incontable
nouns.
You mention the noun for the first time.
You are not refering to a particular person, place or thing.
• There are (some) baskets on the barn.
• We need to buy (some) wheat for the “tortillas”.

5. Definite article: the
the
With singular
/plural nouns
(both countable
and uncountable.)
You mention the noun for the second time.
You are refering to a particular person, place or thing.
• The engineer I’m reading about was born in Manchester. (second time)
• The kilo of potatoes is on the shelf (you know the kilo I’m referring to.)
• The coffee we bought is organic. (a specific coffee you an i know about)

6. June 5, 2013
Definite article: the
the
With a phrase or
adjective : “first”,
“best”, “right” or
“wrong”
American Neil Amstrong becomes
the first man to walk on the moon.

7. June 5, 2013
Definite article: the
the
With
unique
things
The moon is full today
Mike is working in the yard.

8. June 5, 2013
Definite article: the
the
Places (oceans,
rivers, names of
countries, deserts,
mountains, etc…)
The Danube, the far East, The Canary Islands, The
United States, The Kalahari.
Mike is working in the yard.

9. Special uses of Article “the”
Before the superlative degree
(Eg) the best, the tallest
Before musical instruments
(Eg) the flute, the violin
Before an adjective to denote a whole class
(Eg) the old, the rich, the poor

10. Before ordinals
(Eg) the first, the ninth
Before proper names (plural) of peoples(nations)
(Eg) the French, the Indians
6.Abbreviations use “the”
(Eg) the UN", "the USA", "the IMF".
Special uses of Article “the”

11. June 5, 2013
Zero article: Ø
Ø
With uncountable
nouns and plural
countable that are
not specific.
I love watching Ø videos. (no specific video in particular, general statement.)
What is this? This is Ø chemical fertilizer. (classify something)
Ø Organic farms are very popular nowadays . (general statement)

12. Zero article: Ø
June 5, 2013
FIRST TIME, SECOND
Ø
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
Explanation
1. To talk about plural and uncountable nouns or when talking about things in
general:
EXAMPLES: I'm terrified of heights.
I'm into drum and bass.
2. before countries, towns, streets, languages and single mountains:
EXAMPLES: I'm from China.
I've climbed Mount Everest.

13. Zero article: Ø
June 5, 2013
FIRST TIME, SECOND
Ø
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
I'm terrified of heights
I'm into drum and bass.
Explanation
3. Before some places and with some forms of transport:
EXAMPLES: I live at home with my parents.
I came here by car.
4. In exclamations with what + uncountable noun:
EXAMPLES: What beautiful weather!
What loud music!.

14. FILL IN THE BLANKS USING ‘A’ AN’ OR ‘THE’
1.Sri Lanka is _____ island.
2.She gave Sita ____ one rupee note.
3.Maya wore _____ red colour saree.
4.He is ____ honourable man.
5.He met with ____ accident on his way home.

15. FILL IN THE BLANKS USING ‘A’ AN’ OR ‘THE’
1.Sri Lanka is __an__ island.
2.She gave Sita _a_ one rupee note.
3.Maya wore _the_ red colour jacket.
4.He is _an__ honourable man.
5.He met with _an_ accident on his way home.

16. 6. ___ Ganges is ___ holy water.
7. He worked efficiently as ___ M.L.A.
8. _____ Bible is ____ sacred book of
Christians.
9. Heaven is _____ happiest place.
10.Buying ___ umbrella is not ___ urgent need.

17. 6. The Ganges is _a_ holy water.
7. He worked efficiently as an M.L.A.
8. _The_ Bible is _the sacred book of Christians.
9. Heaven is _the_ happiest place.
10.Buying _an_ umbrella is not _an_ urgent
need.

18. 11.____ Sahara is ___ biggest desert in ___ world.
12.Mani bought ___ car
13.We went to __ temple and saw ___ elephant
eating bananas.
14.Sekar is ___ advocate who is working in ___
USA.

19. 11._The Sahara is the biggest desert in the world.
12.Mani bought _a_ car
13.We went to the_ temple and saw an_ elephant
eating bananas.
14.Sekar is _an advocate who is working in the USA.

20. June 5, 2013
1. I don't really like sweet things but I love chocolate.
This sentence is correct.
This sentence is not correct.
2. She goes to work by bus.
This sentence is correct.
This sentence is not correct.
3. They usually go skiing in the Alps but last year they went to France and skied
on the Mont Blanc.
This sentence is correct.
This sentence is not correct.
Practice Zero Article

21. June 5, 2013
4. What the fantastic cheese we ate in Italy!
This sentence is correct.
This sentence is not correct .
5. He's from the Maldives and she's from Ireland.
This sentence is correct.
This sentence is not correct.
6. He bought a pair of jeans and the most fantastic suit I've ever
seen.
This sentence is correct.
This sentence is not correct
Practice Zero Article

22. THE END!!!
GREAT JOB!!!