The document discusses the use of articles (a, an, the) in English. It explains that a and an are only used with singular count nouns, with a preceding consonant sounds and an preceding vowel sounds. The definite article the is used for specific or previously mentioned nouns. Proper nouns like country names usually do not take an article, except when referring to geographic areas or plural countries. No article is needed for abstract nouns or general categories.

1. ARTICLES
Gustavo Carvajal Alvarado

2. The Indefinite Articles: a, an
 We use “A” and “AN” only before singular
count nouns.
 A Cat is a small animal.
 I like to eat an apple everyday.
 Be careful with plurals
 Girls love roses.
 Pay attention if there’s a non-count noun
I like to drink water.

3. The Indefinite Articles: a, an
 A when followed  An when followed
with a consonant with a vowel sound.
sound.  An orange
A baby  An apple
 A cake
 Pay attention to words beginning with H and U
 A House / an Hour.
 A University / an Umbrela

4. The Definite Article: the
 When you are talking about something
specific.
 General: I love motorcycles. (I love all types of
motorcycles)
 Specific: The television is not working. ( One
specific television isn’t working)
 When you are using the superlative form
 Natal is the most beautiful city in Brazil.

5. The Definite Article: the
 Countries whose names make a reference to
plural.
 The United States (more than one state)
 The Philippines (Islands)
 The United Kingdom (4 countries)
 The Netherlands (The Low Countries)
 Most countries don’t use an article
 Italy
 Brazil
 Japan

6. The Definite Article: the
 When talking about Geographic areas.
 The Atacama Desert
 The equator
 The Middle East
 The Nile River
 The Pacific Ocean
 The World
 We don’t use an article when refering to Lakes
 Lake Paranoa

7. No Articles
 When talking about a category or group.
 Rabbits are faster than Tortoises.
 When refering to Abstract Nouns.
 Allyou need is love.
 The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but
imagination.

8. Things to remember
 1) Indefinitive articles must be used when
talking about professions.
 I’m an English teacher. My brother is an Engineer.
 2) Pay attention to the SOUND of the next
syllable, when deciding to use A/AN.
 An European country/ an MP3 player
 Don’t forget to use an article (the/an/a) before
Singular Count Nouns
 dog/ball/book/orange/airplane/desk/chair