B1 GRAMMAR BANK: ARTICLES

B1  level  demands  from  the  learner  the  ability  of  distinguishing  the  basic  uses  of  the  definite  and  
indefinite  articles.  To  show  you  have  a  sound  B1  level,  you  must  master  the  following  rules  and  use  
articles  fluently.  
 
•   Use  of  a/an:  
This  is  the  singular  indefinite  article,  and  as  such  it  introduces  new  information.  
 
o   When  you  refer  to  a  singular  countable  noun  when  the  listener/reader  does  not  know  
exactly  who  or  what  is  being  referred  to  or  when  you  talk  about  something  for  the  first  
time.  
There  is  a  blue  car  parked  outside  our  house.  
I  watched  a  very  good  film  last  night.  
 
o   With  nouns,  especially  jobs,  after  be  and  become.  
I  am  a  teacher  in  this  Primary  School.  
I  became  a  lawyer  after  5  years  studying  at  the  university.  
 
 
•   Use  of  the:  
This  is  the  definite  article  used  for  both  plural  and  singular  nouns  and  introduces  given  
information  which  is  already  known  by  the  speakers.  
 
o   With  singular  and  plural  nouns  when  the  listener  and  speaker  both  know  who  or  what  is  
being  referred  to  or  when  you  talk  about  something  again.  
The  blue  car  outside  our  house  belongs  to  our  neighbors.  
Did  you  like  the  film  we  watched  last  night?  
 
o   Before  a  noun  when  it  is  a  unique  reality  or  there  is  only  one.  
The  moon  was  really  beautiful  last  night.  
I  travelled  around  the  world  last  summer.  
The  Queen  of  England  is  visiting  this  hospital  next  week.  
 
o   Before  superlative  adjectives.  
This  is  the  biggest  flat  I  have  visited.  
I  want  to  find  the  most  attractive  photograph  for  this  spot.  
 
o   Before  certain  public  places.  
I  went  to  the  cinema  with  my  sister.  
Can  you  take  this  to  the  post  office?