2. Indefinite Articles: a, an (Page 180)
02
We use the indefinite articles a and an only before
singular count nouns that are not specific. Generally,
they’re used to talk about something mentioned for the
first time.
1. Use abefore words which begin with a consonant
sound. Example: a teacher a boy
2. Use anwith words that begin with a vowel sound.
Example: an exam an apple
3. Remember pronunciation is important!
a headache x an hour
a university x an umbrella
3. Definite Article: the (Page 181)
03
There are many situations where we can use the article the, for
instance:
1. the = specific meaning
2. speaking and listener talking about the same noun
3. 2nd and all other references to the same noun
4. Countries that have the word Island, Republic, Union, and also
the ones that are on plural.
4. 04
No Article: Zero Article
(Page 182)
Many ELLs tend to overuse
the.
e.g. The China speaks
Mandarin.
Null article : “Silence is golden.”
5. 05Common ELL Mistakes
What Your Students Should Know (Page 182)
Do
✓ “a job, an apple, the reason, the best
choice, a delicious sandwich”
✓ “an hour, a heir a honorable
colleague, a hourly rate”
✓ “I don’t trust politicians.”
✓ “Education is the most important
thing in my life.”
Don’t
✗ “job, apple, reason, best choice,
delicious sandwich”
✗ “a hour, a heir, a honorable colleague, a
hourly rate”
✗ “I don’t trust the politicians.”
✗ “The education is the most important
thing in my life.”
All References Are From:
Keys to Teaching Grammar to English Language Learners -
A Practical Handbook - Keith S. Folse
1. Singular count nouns are are always used with an article (or other determiner).
2. Use an instead of a with words that begin with a vowel sound.
3. The is not used with a plural count noun that refers to the whole category.
4.The is not used with abstract nouns or ideas.