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Articles - Coggle Diagram
Articles
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EXCEPTION: a cold, a headache
Definite
Used to talk about a specific example of something which (we think) is known to both ourselves and the listener/ reader.
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Indefinite
Used to talk about one of something which we assumed the listener/reader doesn't know which specific thing
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Zero Articles
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Used to talk about things generally, not an individual item or example
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THE or Zero
Nouns with ZERO
Uncountable and plural countable nouns with a general sense.
(to refer to general ideas and categories)
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"Intelligence is something you are born with, not something you learn."
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Classifying
Referring to a group
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Singular nouns with A/ AN
A seagull is a large white and grey bird. (all seagulls)
DO I've been studying a seagull. (one particular seagull)
I've been studying seagulls. (seagulls as a group)
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Special Groups
Parts of the body
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When the noun is related to the SUBJECT of the sentence → POSSESSIVES
That seagull had hurt its wing.
He's had a lot of trouble with his heart.
When the noun is related to the OBJECT of the sentence
(or SUBJECT in passive) THE
The bird was shot in the wing.
Musical instruments
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About bands, orchestras, recordings, etc.
I used to play trumpet in my school orchestra.
Does that recording have Clapton on guitar?
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SUMMARY
Basic Uses of A/AN
With singular countable nouns
Unknown persons/ things: She has a car.
What somebody/ something is: I'm an engineer.
Anyone/ anything: A vegetarian doesn't eat meat.
Basic Uses of THE
With singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns, uncountable nouns
Known persons/ things
They have a daughter and a son. The boy is a student and the girl is...
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General sense
THE+ noun referring to animals and plants
THE+ adjective
THE+ nationality
THE+ scientific invention
THE+musical instrument
DETERMINER
A word which is used with a noun, and which refers to something definite or indefinite