The document discusses the use of definite and indefinite articles in English. It provides examples of when to use indefinite articles like "a" and "an", the zero article, and the definite article "the". It explains that indefinite articles are used with non-specific nouns, the zero article with plural or non-count nouns, and the definite article when the noun is definite or unique in some way. The document uses examples from an African safari to illustrate article usage.

1. 3
Definite and
Indefinite Articles
An African Safari
Focus on Grammar 5
Part III, Unit 8
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Trip to Kenya
Trip to Kenya
Look at the
letter. Fill in
the blanks
with
a, an, the or
no article.
Explain your
answers to
a partner.
You will check
your answers
at the end of
the
presentation.
Dear Marta,
We took ____ most wonderful trip last
month. We went on ____ great safari.
____ safari was in Kenya and we saw
____ lions and ____hippos up close!
____ experience was great. ____
only problem was my husband was
bitten by ____ mosquito, but since we
had taken malaria medicine before
we came, ____ Dr. Matuka said
he would be okay.
Love, Gloria

3. Indefinite Article 1
Indefinite Article 1
When we don’t have a particular person, place, or thing
in mind, we use non-specific nouns. Use the indefinite
article a/an with non-specific singular count nouns.
I’d love to hold
a baby lion.
any baby lion;
no particular lion
in mind

4. Indefinite Article 2
Indefinite Article 2
A noun is often indefinite the first time a speaker
mentions it. It is usually definite after the first mention.
1st Mention
We went on a safari
last year.
2nd Mention
The safari was very
educational.

5. Zero Article 1
Zero Article 1
Use zero article (no article) with non-specific plural
count nouns and non-specific non-count nouns.
Non-Specific
Plural Count Noun
 Zero Article
Hippos feel at
home in water.
water
Non-Specific
Non-Count Noun
 Zero Article
Meerkats are very interesting
animals to watch.

6. Generic Nouns
Generic Nouns
A noun is generic when it represents all members of a
class or category. There are three ways to use count
nouns generically.
zero article + plural count noun
1. Cheetahs are predatory animals.
indefinite article + count noun
2. A cheetah is a predatory animal.
zero article + non-count noun
3. Water is essential for all animals to survive.

7. Zero Article 2
Zero Article 2
Use zero article before the names of people or their
titles, names of most countries, and habitual locations.
Kanika spends four days a
week at work and two days a
week in school.
Ambassador Mukasa was born in
Tanzania but spent most of his life
in Kenya.

8. Practice 1
Look at the sentences. Complete
them with an indefinite article or no
article. Explain your answers to a
partner.
A
Example: _____ zebra came right up to me!
1. We stayed in _____ nice lodge. _____ game reserves
a
usually have lodges nearby.
2. That kind of bird is usually found in _____ Zambia.
an
3. Have you ever seen _____ elephant up close?
a
4. This is _____ great vacation.
a
5. I would love to be _____ game warden.
6. A: Do you often see _____ warthogs at game reserves?
B: Oh, yes. There are some right over there.

9. Definite Article 1
Definite Article 1
A noun is definite when we know the particular person, place,
or thing being talked about. Use the definite article the with
non-count nouns and singular and plural nouns that are definite.
The
vultures
have found
something to
eat.
Yeah, I see
them. Let’s
get closer
and take a
picture.

10. Definite Article 2
Definite Article 2
Use the definite article with nouns that describe
something unique.
Nanyuki, Kenya, is
located on the equator.
There is only
one equator.

11. Definite Article 3
Definite Article 3
An adjective can often make a noun represent something
unique. Examples of such adjectives are right, wrong,
first, only, and the comparative and superlative forms.
Superlative
Adjective
Unique
Adjective
That is the tallest giraffe I’ve first giraffe is
The
ever seen!
eating.

12. Definite Article 4
Definite Article 4
The definite article is used with the names of public
places, some countries, and many geographical
regions or features.
My friends from the to
I went to the library Netherlands is located along
Kenya
are visiting Tanzania this
learn more about Kenya. year. Indian Ocean.
the

13. Practice 2
Look at the letter again and fill in the
blanks. Did your ideas on article usage
change? Check your answers.
Dear Marta,
We took ____ most wonderful trip last
the
month. We went on ____ great safari.
a
____ safari was in Kenya and we saw
The
____ lions and ____hippos up close!
____ experience was great. ____
The
The
only problem was my husband was
bitten by ____ mosquito, but since we
a
had taken malaria medicine before
we came, ____ Dr. Matuka said
he would be okay.
Love, Gloria

14. References
References
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education
and its licensors. All rights reserved.