This document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles in English. It explains that "a" and "an" are indefinite articles used with singular nouns, and "a" is used before consonant sounds while "an" is used before vowel sounds. It also discusses the definite article "the" and when it is used to refer to something already mentioned or something unique. The document provides examples of the correct usage of "a", "an", and "the" and cases when they should not be used.

1. The use of indefinite
and
definite articles
A, AN or THE
2014

2. A and AN
A and An are indefinite
articles.
Both of them works with
singular
nouns.
They stand for in Spanish: un
or
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3. How do we use them?
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4. We use A before words that begin
with consonants.
For example:
A car.
A plane.
A beautiful doll.
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5. We use AN before words that begin
with vowels.
For example:
An ugly pottery.
An airplane.
An orange.
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6. In both cases, the recognition
was visual.
But we can also recognize the
use of these articles by using
our hear.
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7. We can use A before the vowel
u and before the dipthonge eu,
when it sounds like the word
‘you’(/juː/)
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8. Here we have some examples:
A university
/ə ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti/
A European city
/ə ˌjʊrəˈpiːən ˈsɪti/
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9. What happened with h words?
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10. We use an before words that begin
with a silent h like the word hour.
An hour
/ən ˈaʊər/
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11. We use A with a hard h like the
word house.
A house
/ə haʊs/
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oxford grammar practice #49

12. When do we use A or AN?
*To talk about
something
for the first time.
I found a pencil.
* With jobs or
professions.
She is a nurse.
* In exclamations/phrases with a/an+
(countable singular) noun.
What an excellent day!
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13. THE
THE is a definite article.
It can be used with singular,
plural and uncountable nouns.
THE stands for in Spanish:
el – la – los – las.
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14. When do we use THE?
* When we talk about
something we mention
before.
I have a nice dress.
The dress is white.
* With rivers, seas, oceans,
deserts and island or
mountain groups.
The Andes.
The Atacama desert.
The Pacific ocean.
* When it is clear in the situation
which thing or person we
mean.
Can I borrow the red pen?
Can I use the bathroom, please?
* With superlatives.
She is the best student at
school.
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15. When do we use THE?
* When there is only one of
something.
Santiago is the capital of Chile.
The moon is very bright tonight.
* To refer to a system or
service.
I heard it on the radio.
You should call the police.
* With musical instruments.
She is playing the piano and
her sister the bass.
* With adjectives like poor, rich,
or evan group of people.
Life can be very easy for the
rich.
I think the poor don't have to
pay
taxes.
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16. DO NOT USE THE...
*Names of people and names of places.
I went to Canberra yesterday. 
I went to the Canberra yesterday. X
I saw Sue last week.
I saw the Sue last week. X
* breakfast / lunch / dinner
What did you have for lunch?
What did you have for the lunch? X
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17. DO NOT USE THE...
*When we talk about people or things in
general.
Credit cards are essential now. 
The credit cards are essential now.. X
* With continents, lakes, individual islands
and mountains , and most countries
They went to Chungara lake last week.
They went to the Chungara lake last week. X
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18. DO NOT USE THE...
*days / months/ years
She will go there on Monday. 
She will go there on the Monday. X
* In some prepositional phrases (at-by-to).
He stays at home.
He stays at the home.X
I go to school on foot.
I go to school on the foot.X
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19. DO NOT USE THE...
*For institutionssuch as school, churches.
Colleges, jails, and when talking about the
main function of the institution.
My brother is in jail. 
My brother is in the jail. X
* In certain time expressions.
We'll finish school next year.
We'll finish school the next year.X
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20. Let's practice!!!
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21. Fill in the blanks with: a / an / the or (/).
1. Last night I stayed home and watched ____ television.
2. ____ Mary used to live in ____ country.
3. What do you usually eat for ____ breakfast?
4. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on ____ phone.’
5. ____Mike is ____ good student.
6. ____Peter is _____ youngest student in the class.
7. ____ Sydney is ____ interesting city.
8. This class is ____ best class at using articles.
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22. Fill in the blanks with: a / an / the or (/).
1. Last night I stayed home and watched (/) television.
2. (/) Mary used to live in the country.
3. What do you usually eat for (/) breakfast?
4. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on the phone.’
5. (/) Mike is a good student.
6. (/) Peter is the youngest student in the class.
7. (/) Sydney is an interesting city.
8. This class is the best class at using articles.
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23. Material created and
selected by
Danitza Lazcano Flores
Teacher of English
Master in Education
and
Educational counselor
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