Articles

1. AARRTTIICCLLEESS
ELL Grammar Key 7
Page 179 to 184
Marina Cases and João Paulo

2. ARTICLES
There are three types of articles:
1.Indefinite articles: a / an
2.Definite article: the
3.Null article: no article

3. INDEFINITE ARTICLES
Indefinite articles a/an are used with:
•singular count nouns;
•not specific;
•being mentioned for the first time.
Example:
A penguin is a small black and white bird.
A simple computer serves many purposes.
An iglu is a dwelling that is made of ice.

4. INDEFINITE ARTICLES
a or an?
1.Use a before a noun or an adjective (+noun) that begins with
a consonant sound. Ex.: a feather, a ball
2.Use an before a noun or an adjective that begins with a vowel
sound. Ex.: an idea, an apple
Obs.: In words beginning with h or u the use of a/an depends on
the beginning sound of the word.
Ex.: a hat, an hour, a university, an umbrella

5. DEFINITE ARTICLES
Definite articles are used when:
1.Takling about something specific.
Ex.: The umbrella next to the door is not mine.
2.Speaker and listener are talking about the same specific item. Ex.:
William, don’t forget to close the refrigerator!
3.It is the second (or more) reference to the same noun.
Ex.: James and I bought a new computer. The computer lets us
access the Internet really quickly.

6. DEFINITE ARTICLES
4. Using a superlative of an adjective.
Ex.: Diamonds are the most expensive jewelry.
5. Names of country that end with –s or have the words united, union,
republic or kingdom.
Ex.: the Philippines, the United States
6. Bodies of water (except individual lakes).
Ex.: the Mississippi River, the Pacific Ocean, the Great Lakes
7. Geographic parts of the globe and geographic areas, deserts and
peninsulas.
Ex.: the Middle East, the South, the equator

7. NULL ARTICLE
We do not use any article (or the null article) when:
1.Talking about a category or group in general.
Ex.: general: Cats can be great pets.
specific: The cats in the pet shop are expensive.
2.Before abstract nouns such as feelings or ideas.
Ex.: Patience is a virtue.
Love is all you need.

8. COMMON ELL MISTAKES
1. Using a with a noun that begins with a vowel sound.
wrong: a hour, a heir, a honorable person
correct: an hour, an heir, an honorable person
2. Using the with a plural count noun that refers to the whole category.
wrong: I don’t trust the politicians.
correct: I don’t trust politicians.
3. Using the with abstract nouns or ideas.
wrong: The education is important.
correct: Education is important.