the articles the and a

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1
TheArticles‘the’
and‘a/an’
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2
Lesson Vocabulary!
Term Definition
context the words before and after the part
of the text you’re focused on

Today’s Class
1. Describe the function of the definite and indefinite article.
I’ve never used an article and the teacher won’t make me!
2. Practice using the definite and indefinite article correctly for
specific and general meaning.
A dog isn’t good enough, we need the dog!
3. Practice using the articles with different types of nouns.
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the most important idea
indefinite article “a/an”
“Indefinite” means not clearly
defined.
The indefinite article is used for
when you’re talking about
something in a general way.
I’d like a better job.
definite article “the”
“Definite” means easily
understood, or something that is
certain.
The definite article is used when
you’re talking about something in
a specific way.
I’d like the job my boss has.
5

6
Noun
A B
Countable Uncountable

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Noun
Common Proper
Countable Uncountable
Singular/Plural
a/the/Ø
Singular/Plural
the/Ø
Singular
the/Ø
Above is a summary of the different types of nouns and the articles
that go with them.
Nouns are preceded by the definite article ‘the’, the indefinite article
‘a/an’, or the zero article ‘Ø’.

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The Definite
Article ‘the’

The Definite Article ‘the’
What is the function of the definite article?
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What is the function of the definite article?
The function of the definite article is to refer to something specific.
Where is the cat?
‘The cat’ isn’t just any cat, it’s a specific cat.
Make sure that the listeners know what specific thing you’re referring
to.
I’m leaving for the university at noon.
‘The university’ doesn’t tell us which university they are going to. We
know it is a specific university, but which one?
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How can you be sure that the listeners know specific thing you’re
referring to?
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How can you be sure that the listeners know specific thing you’re
referring to?
Provide context for the listeners! The context is the words coming
before and after the words you’re trying to understand.
a) The University of Manitoba is far away so I’m leaving for the
university at noon to be on time for my lecture on dinosaurs.
The context tells the listener which specific university ‘the university’
refers to.
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Add words before or after these sentences to create a context that
shows what specific noun you’re referring to.
a) Do you see the jeans?
Do you see the jeans I was wearing yesterday in the drawer?
Do you see the jeans next to my red sweater?
b) I’ve never been to the city.
c) Have you tried making the soup?
d) Here is the dog.
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Add words before or after these sentences to create a context that
shows what specific noun you’re referring to.
a) Do you see the jeans?
Do you see the jeans I was wearing yesterday in the drawer?
Do you see the jeans next to my red sweater?
b) I’d like to go to Winnipeg because I’ve never been to the city.
c) You father’s soup is so famous. Have you tried making the soup?
d) Here is the dog that we’ve been looking for all morning!
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We use the definite article for
a) singular countable nouns
Where is the baby?
b) plural countable nouns
The babies are crying.
c) uncountable nouns
The beauty of a flower is in it’s colour and smell.
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We don’t use ‘the’ for proper nouns.
Where is Nastashya?
This is Winnipeg.
What is the opposite of a proper noun?
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Where is Nastashya?
This is Winnipeg.
What is the opposite of a proper noun? A common noun.
Can you use ‘the’ with common nouns?
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Where is Nastashya?
This is Winnipeg.
Can you use ‘the’ with common nouns? Yes, you can.
Change the proper nouns above into common nouns and provide
context!
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Where is Nastashya?
This is Winnipeg.
Can you use ‘the’ with common nouns? Yes, you can.
Change the proper nouns above into common nouns and provide
context!
Where is the teacher of this class?
This is the city I was born in.
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There are exceptions to this rule.
There are some proper nouns that go with ‘the’.
I’m going to the Philippines.
I used to attend the University of Winnipeg.
Is that building the Winnipeg Convention Centre?
Look at the presentation ‘Definite Article and Proper Nouns’ on
livelearn.ca if you’re interested 
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The Indefinite
Article ‘a/an’

The Indefinite Article ‘a/an’
What is the function of the indefinite article?
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What is the function of the indefinite article?
The function of the indefinite article is to refer to a category of things,
or to refer to something general but not something specific.
Do you want a cat?
‘A cat’ is part of the category ‘cats’. It doesn’t refer to a specific cat.
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What is the rule for using ‘a’ or ‘an’?
a + word begins with a ____
A dog is much smarter than a worm.
an + word begins with a ____
An orange is way more orange than an apple.
They’ve definitely been waiting for an hour.
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What is the rule for using ‘a’ or ‘an’?
a + word begins with a consonant
A dog is much smarter than a worm.
an + word begins with a vowel or sounds like it begins with a vowel
An orange is way more orange than an apple.
They’ve definitely been waiting for an hour.
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Complete the sentence with ‘the’ or ‘a/an’
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1. Taking __ science course is a good idea, but I’m not sure which to
choose.
2. We went to __ Louvre and saw __ Mona Lisa.
3. I was out the other day and I found __ ten dollar bill on the street. I
couldn't decide whether to keep __ money or hand it in.
4. He is __ doctor I came to see.
5. I went to __ movie alone.

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1. Taking a science course is a good idea, but I’m not sure which to choose.
general meaning, identity unknown
2. We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa. unique/famous
3. I was out the other day and I found a ten dollar bill on the street. I
couldn't decide whether to keep the money or hand it in.
general/specific meaning
4. He is the doctor I came to see. specific person
5. I went to a/the movie alone. general/specific meaning

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1. I live in __ small house with a blue door.
2. __ apple a day keeps the doctor away!
3. Where can I find __ cup of coffee in this town?
4. Pass ___ last jar of strawberry jam.
5. __ tomato is rotten.
6. __ furniture will be delivered tomorrow.

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1. I live in a/the small house with a blue door. general/specific meaning
2. An apple a day keeps the doctor away! general meaning
3. Where can I find a cup of coffee in this town? general meaning/identity
of the noun in unknown
4. Pass the last jar of strawberry jam. specific meaning
5. The tomato is rotten. specific meaning
6. The furniture will be delivered tomorrow. specific meaning

What words do we use for plural nouns with general meaning?
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We use ‘some’ and ‘any’.
What do ‘some’ and ‘any’ mean?
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We use ‘some’ and ‘any’.
What do ‘some’ and ‘any’ mean?
Some and any refer to a quantity of something or how much of
something you have.
32

‘Some’ is used in statements and when you’re offering something.
Some visitors are coming this afternoon.
Would you like some cake?
‘Any’ is used in negative statements or questions.
There aren’t any tickets left for the concert tonight.
Are any visitors coming this afternoon?
I don’t have any time for your nonsense!
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What type of nouns can you use some and any with?
a) plural countable
Some of the dogs bite.
Do any of the dogs bite?
b) uncountable
Would you like some money?
I don’t have any time for your nonsense!
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Complete the sentences with ‘the’, ‘a/an’, ‘some’,
or ‘any’. Identify the type of noun.
1. I’d like __ tomato.
2. I’ll have ___ olives.
3. Do you have ___ classes on Monday?
4. I’d like __ tomatoes.
5. Do you want __ milk?
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1. I’d like a/the tomato. singular countable noun
2. I’ll have the/some olives. plural countable noun/ some: a quantity
3. Do you have any classes on Monday? plural countable/question
4. I’d like the/some tomatoes. plural countable noun/ some: a quantity
5. Do you want the/some milk? uncountable noun and offering
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6. Pass __ milk.
7. Can you give me __ advice?
8. Do you make __ of the decisions?
9. I have __ class on Mondays.
10. Where can I find __ skates for my hockey team in this town?
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6. Pass the milk. uncountable noun
7. Can you give me some/any advice? uncountable/ some: a quantity/any:
question
8. Do you make some/any of the decisions? plural countable/ some: a
quantity, any: question
9. I have a/the class on Mondays. singular countable noun
10. Where can I find the/some skates for my hockey team in this town?
plural countable noun/ some: a quantity
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Summary
39
singular countable plural countable uncountable
apple apples rice
She has an apple.
-
-
They have the apple.
-
Would you like some
apples?
Do you have any apples?
Here are the chairs.
-
Do you want some rice?
I don’t want any rice.
Pass the rice.

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Review
1.Does the speaker care what park they visit?
a) Can we go to the park?
b) Can we go to a park?
2. Is the speaker talking about a specific restaurant?
c)Here is the restaurant.
d) Here is a restaurant.
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Review
1.Does the speaker care what park they visit?
a) Can we go to the park?
Yes, they care because it is a specific park.
b) Can we go to a park?
No, they don’t care because it is any park.
2. Is the speaker talking about a specific restaurant?
c)Here is the restaurant.
Yes, they are.
d) Here is a restaurant.
No, they aren’t.

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Review
3. Which article is used for referring to something general?
4. Which article do you use with proper nouns?
5. When do you use ‘some’ and when do you ‘use’ any?
____ is used in statements and when you’re offering something.
____ is used in negative statements or questions.

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Review
3. Which article is used for referring to something general?
The indefinite article ‘a/an’.
4. Which article do you use with proper nouns?
Usually you don’t use either article with proper nouns, but sometimes
you use ‘the’.
5. When do you use ‘some’ and when do you ‘use’ any?
Some is used in statements and when you’re offering something.
Any is used in negative statements or questions.

Questions?
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Thankyou!
Nastashya Wall
204-946-5140 ex. 201
nwall@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca

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