Articles are words like "the", "a", and "an" that are used before nouns. There are three choices for articles: "the" for specific or definite nouns, "a" or "an" for general or indefinite singular nouns, and nothing for plural or uncountable nouns. To choose the correct article, you must consider whether the noun is definite or indefinite, countable or uncountable, and singular or plural. The definite article "the" is used when the noun is unique or specifically referred to based on context. The indefinite articles "a" or "an" are used when the noun is nonspecific or generalized.

1. The Use of Articles

2. Articles are words used in front of nouns to identify them as being . . . general (indefinite) a woman specific (definite) the woman in the library or

3. In English, there are three choices involving articles: the smoking chicken chickens a chicken the , putting nothing . a/an ,

4. When choosing which of the three to use, (the, a/an, nothing) nothing? a/an? the? we need to take three things into consideration:

5. Is the noun definite or indefinite? 2. Is it countable or uncountable? 3. Is it singular or plural?

6. Definite vs. indefinite A definite noun is one that is recognized specifically by both the giver and the receiver of the message. Look! the White House

7. When a noun is definite, the object is unique to both the giver and the receiver, and you use the article the. Here’s the teddy bear, Jeff.

8. “ I’ll get you the book.” The person who says this sentence knows that the person who hears it already knows which book he is referring to.

9. You use the definite article : - when the noun is intrinsically unique (there is only one). The sun is at the center of our solar system.

10. Or when the context makes it clear what is being talked about, so it becomes unique. I saw a man and a woman at the park yesterday. The man looked just like you. Who was the first man on the moon?

11. A noun is indefinite when either the giver or the receiver of the information does not have a specific thing in mind. A game

12. I brought you a book. (one out of many possible presents and books)

13. The indefinite article is often used to classify and define things. A poodle is a type of dog. Mrs. Jonas is an English teacher.

14. When a noun is indefinite , what will be used in front of the noun will depend on the kind of noun it is : Singular or plural Countable or uncountable

15. 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) an with a vowel sound) dog university hotel owl herb hour

16. clothes bags pets dishes pans pictures people shoes socks players When the noun is countable and plural , use nothing.

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

18. Determiners: With definite nouns: THE With indefinite, singular, nouns: 1. with vowels sound: AN 2. with consonant sound: A With indefinite, plural nouns and noncountable nouns: NOTHING