An article is a word used before nouns to specify them as definite or indefinite. There are three articles in English: the, a/an, and no article. The choice of article depends on whether the noun is countable/uncountable and singular/plural. The definite article "the" is used for specific or unique nouns, while the indefinite article "a/an" is used for nonspecific nouns. No article is used for uncountable or plural nouns. Proper use of articles is important for clear communication.

1. Master Student’s Name: Ruxandra
Ghita
“1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba
Iulia
Language Level: Elementary
ARTICLES

2. What is an article?
Articles are words used in front of nouns to
identify them as being….
specific(definite): general(indefinite):
the girl in the car. a child
An article is an adjective >> they modify nouns

3. In English, there are three choices
involving articles:
THE A/AN putting nothing
the wet chicken a chicken chickens

4. When choosing which of the three to use,
THE?
A/AN?
NOTHING?
We need to take three things in consideration:

5. 1. Is the noun definite or indefinite?
2. It is countable or
uncountable?
3. It is singular or plural?

6. When the noun is countable and singular,
use:
A AN
(in front of words beginning or (in front of words beginning
with a consonant sound) with a vowel sound)
dog car hour owl
house elephant

7. When the noun is countable and plural use
nothing.
shoes
bags
books
pets people

8. When the noun is uncountable, use
nothing.
food sky
freedom
sand
emptiness
water ice
light

9. Definite vs. Indefinite
A definite noun is one that is recognized specifically by both
the giver and the receiver
of the message.
Look! the Big Ben tower
-when a noun is definite,
the object is unique to both
the giver and the receiver of
the message and you use the
article THE.

10. You use the definite article:
When the nouns is intrinsically unique
(there is only one)
The sun is the center of our solar system.
Or when the context makes it clear what is being talked about, so it
becomes unique.
Who was the first man on the moon?

11. A noun is indefinite when either the giver
and the receiver of the message does not
have a specific thing in mind
I bought you a book.
(one out of many possible presents
and books)
A game

12. A / AN: Put a or an in front of the words then
match the words with the pictures.
1. …. elephant
2. …. boy
3. …. cat
4. …. octopus
5. …. girl
6. …. apple
7. …. baby
8. …. umbrella
9. …. dog
10. …. flower

13. Choose the correct (and most natural-sounding)
response to complete each sentence:
1. I love living in this __________ city.
a) no article b) a c) the
2. Generally speaking, __________ boys are physically stronger than girls.
a) a b) no article c) the
3. Bill enjoys reading __________ mystery novels.
a) a b) the c) no article
4. Do you remember __________ girl that we saw last night?
a) a b)the c)no article
5. P1: Did you go to the Thai restaurant? P2: No, I went to __________ place
where you and I normally go.
a) The b)a c)no article

14. 6. He is __________ really good person.
a)The b) a c) no article
7. My brother is __________ expert at fixing cars.
a) the b) no article c) an
8. __________ Paris is a beautiful city.
a) a b) no article c) the
9. My __________ teacher's name is William.
a)no article b) a c) the
10. We got our son __________ dog for Christmas.
a) the b) a c) no article

15. The article wolf is hungry, and he wants rabbit for his dinner! Help the rabbit
to build a wall by putting a, an, the or nothing in the blank spaces:
• Oh no! I can see __ wolf.
• I think I'm in __ trouble.
• __ wolf looks very hungry.
• He has __ enormous appetite.
• Look at __ big pile of bricks here.
• Maybe I can build __ wall.
• I'll have to build at __ great speed.
• This is __ important job.
• I will make __ wall strong.
• It will even keep out __ angry wolf.
• I can't make many __ mistakes.
• I need __ lot of bricks.
• I must not leave __ hole.
• Or __ wolf will get in.
• I am __ active rabbit!