Definite and indefi

nite articles

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Definite article

the

Indefinite articles

a an
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We use

a/an
before a singular,
countable noun.

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Example:
Sally is an energetic girl.
Her hair is always in a po
nytail.

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We use

a/an
when we first talk about
a person, an object or a
place.
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Example:
I know a boy called To
m. He likes jogging.

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Do not use a/an before
plural nouns or
uncountable nouns.

Examples:
Peter wears glasses.
Mary has short hair.
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 a ma
a n

words that start with

a pencil
a consonant sound

an old
an man

an a
pple
words that start with
a vowel sound
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We use

the
before a noun if there is
only one of its kind.
er n et
the s In t
un the the
moon
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Example:
The sun is shining.

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We use

the
before a person, an object
or a place that we have
already talked about.
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Example:
Tom sees a man.
The man has strange
shoes.

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We use

the
when our listener or
reader knows which
person/object/place
we are talking about.
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Example:
The programme is fun
ny.

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We can use the before
all nouns.

Examples:
Where is the sugar?
Where are the toys?

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Review:

a/an/the
What are the
differences?

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 Definite article
the - what people know

Indefinite articles
- what people do not know

a Before consonant sounds

an Before vowel sounds

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The end

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