The document discusses the different types of articles in English - indefinite articles "a" and "an" which are used with singular countable nouns being mentioned for the first time or in a general sense, and the definite article "the" which is used to refer to a specific noun known to the listener. It provides examples of the rules for using articles and exceptions, including only using "a" before consonant sounds, "an" before vowel sounds, and not using articles with plural nouns, uncountable nouns, jobs, sports, or other shared activities.

1. Unit 8: Articles
“Know Your Grammar”
Graeme Cane

2. What are Articles?
 Articles are used to indicate whether or not we
expect our listeners to know which things or
people we are referring to
 Articles help to indicate particular people/things
or people/things in general
 There are 2 types of articles:
 Indefinite articles = A/An
 Definite article = The

3. Indefinite Articles
 A/An = Indefinite articles
 A/An is usually used when:
 You mention a person/thing for the first time
 You are referring to people/things unknown to your
listener
 You are referring to people/things which are general or
not unique
 Examples:
 Look! There‟s a cat under my car.
 I‟m going to a party tonight.
 Would you like a biscuit?

4. Indefinite Articles
 A is used before words that DO NOT begin with
a vowel sound
 An is used before words beginning with a
vowel sound
 Vowels V.S. Vowel Sounds
 There are 5 vowels in the alphabet: A E I O U
 Written vowels are NOT pronounced with a vowel
sound all the time
 The pronunciations of these vowels differ according
to the word

5. Indefinite Articles
 Words beginning with a vowel sound:
 Apple [ae]  An apple
 Umbrella [ah]  An umbrella
 Honest [au] („H‟ is silent here)  An honest man
 Words beginning with a written vowel but NOT
a vowel sound:
 University [you]  A university
 European [you]  A European country
 One [wa]  A one-man band

6. Definite Article
 The = definite article
 The is used when:
 You are talking about a particular person/thing
 Your listener knows which person/thing you mean
 Examples
 Quiet! Here comes the principal.
 How did you do for the English test?

7. 5 Rules for Using Articles
1. Do not use singular countable nouns without
articles
 Countable nouns = nouns which you can count
individually
 E.g. Cat: one cat, two cats etc.
 Singular = one (e.g. cat); Plural = more than one (e.g. cats)
 In other words, you must use articles with
singular countable nouns:
 I used to have a cat.
 But the cat ran away 2 years ago.

8. 5 Rules for Using Articles
2. Use a/an when talking about jobs people do.
 Jenny is a teacher.
 James is a lawyer.

9. 5 Rules for Using Articles
3. A/An is used only with singular countable
nouns. It is NOT used with uncountable nouns.
 Uncountable nouns = nouns which you cannot
count individually
 E.g. Water, sand, hair, air etc.
 Examples:
 Kate has a long hair. (Wrong)
 Kate has long hair. (Correct)
 Mandy has cat. (Wrong)
 Mandy has a cat. (Correct)

10. 5 Rules for Using Articles
4a) DO NOT use the when talking about something
in general
4b) DO NOT put the in front of
 Plural countable nouns (e.g. vegetables, cats etc.)
 Singular uncountable nouns (e.g. gold, milk etc.)
 Examples:
 I love to eat vegetables and drink milk.
 Cats have claws.
 Gold is expensive.

11. 5 Rules for Using Articles
5. DO NOT use articles with sports/games.
 I like the Taekwondo. (Wrong)
 I like Taekwondo. (Correct)
 Some countable nouns are NOT used with articles
in certain situations:
 He‟s not home now.
 Are you in school?
 My uncle is in hospital.
 Nouns like these refer to typical activities known to
both the speaker and listener and DO NOT require
articles.

12. Homework
 Please complete all the exercises in Unit 8 (pg.
38-40).