Indefinite and Definite Articles

I. Definition
The words a, an, and the, are special adjectives called articles.
Indefinite Articlesa, an
an is used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel
(a, e, i, o, u) or vowel sound:
an apple, an elephant, an issue, an orange
a used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants
(other than a, e, i, o, u):
a stamp, a desk, a TV, a cup, a book

Definite Articlethe
Can be used before singular and plural, count and non-count
nouns

I. When to use
1. Indefinite Article (a, an)
1. Used before singular nouns that are unspecified:
a pencil
an orange
2. Used before number collectives and some numbers:
a dozen

 a gallon

3. Used before a singular noun followed by a restrictive

modifier:
a girl who was wearing a yellow hat
4. Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity,
amount, or degree:
I felt a bit depressed.

Exceptions
1. the use of "a" or "an" depands on the beginning sound
Hour: we see an "h" but we hear a vowel sound "ow"
An hour (not a hour)
Unique: we see an "h" but we hear a consonant sound
yoo"
A unique (not an unique)

2. Definite Article (the)

1. Used to indicate a noun that is definite or has been
previously specified in the context:
Please close the door.

 I like the clothes you gave me.

2. Used to indicate a noun that is unique:
Praise the Lord!
The Columbia River is near here.
3. Used to designate a natural phenomenon:
The nights get shorter in the summer.
The wind is blowing so hard.
4. Used to refer to a time period:
I was very nave in the past.
This song was very popular in the 1980s.
5. Used to indicate all the members of a family:
I invited the Bakers for dinner.
This medicine was invented by the Smiths.

3. Zero Article
Somtimes an article is left out.
1. this happens when there is only one of someone or
something
Sally head teacher

 barack obama is president of the united state of America

2. When talking about seasons

Spring is in the air
I visited her in the spring last year
( four seasons: Spring autumn winter summer)

3. When talking about meals in general

when shall we have lunch
I was very happy the lunch she served
meals in a day breakfast dinner brunch and lunch
4. The is left out when talking about the function of the
building
(church, hospital, prison, school, university, police)
he went to university last year
the university is well situated

5. when talking about languages

I love learning English
Arabic is difficult to learn
[Quiz 1]
Choose the correct definite or indefinite article: "the", "a", "an" or "x"

(zero article) .

1) Did you bring

(a, an, the) umbrella?

2) Are you looking for

(a, an, the) shampoo?

3) I checked

(a, an, the) mailbox again.

4) Can I have

(a, an, the) spoon please?

5) I was born into

(a, an, the) poor family.

6) She will come back

7) Have you been to

(a, an, the) Space Needle Tower in Seattle?

8) I would love to talk to one of

9) What

(a, an, the) hour.

(a, an, the) managers.

(a, an, the) amazing view!

10)The helicopter landed on

(a, an, the) roof of a building.

[Quiz 1]
Choose the correct definite or indefinite article: "the", "a", "an" or "x"
(zero article) .
1. I bought

2. I saw

3. They are staying at

4. Look at

pair of shoes.

movie last night.

hotel.

woman over there! She is a famous actress.

5. I do not like

basketball.

6. That is

7.

8.

girl I told you about.

night is quiet. Let's take a walk!

price of gas keeps rising.

9. John traveled to

Mexico.

10.Juan is

11.I read

Spanish.

amazing story yesterday.

12.My brother doesn't eat

13.

14.I live in

15.I would like

16.I was in

chicken.

love is such

beautiful thing.

apartment.

apartment is new.

piece of cake.

Japanese restaurant.

restaurant served

good food.
17.Sara can play

guitar.