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Definite and indefinite article, PDF - Coggle Diagram
Definite and indefinite article
Articles are used to
talk about
things that both the speaker and receiver understand
the
I’ve been to the doctor.
*(You know which one: my doctor.)
Have you fed the dogs? (You know which ones I mean.)*
talk about
things that is not specified, the receivers don’t know it countable
a/an
There’s a rat in the kitchen!
I need an envelope
plural, uncountable
nothing
She’s afraid of rats.
I need help.
use or omission of the
The Table
A/An for any countable singular
No article for any uncountable or plural + general cases
The for mentioned singular or plural + specified cases
I work with a child. (Doesn’t matter which one.)
I work with children. (You don’t know them. + This is a general part of what I do)
I work with the children (You know them, and it’s an important information)
We need salt. (It doesn’t matter which grains of salt + Generally we need it to eat.)
Could you pass me the salt? (That salt is seen, understood, specified.)
pronunciation
A/An
before a pronounced
vowel
/ə/
before a pronounced
consonant
/ən/
а (
/ə/
) an (
/ən/
)
a rabbit; an elephant; a university; an MP
unstressed first syllable starting with h
an hotel
(
a hotel is more common
)
an hypothesis
(
a hypothesis is more common
)
an housewife
-
the first syllable is stressed.
hesitation
,
stress the NP
/ei/
The
before a voiced vowel
/ði:/
before a pronounced consonant
/ðə/
the ice vs the snow
hesitation
,
stress the NP
/ði:/
when are they used?
The (
specificity
)
when
both participants know what we are talking about in particular
I’m going to the bank. (The listener knows which: the usual one.)
Is there a bank near here? (any bank)
there is only one, or this is a common experience of everybody, surrounding
I haven’t seen the sun for days.
People used to think the earth was flat.
I have some of my best ideas when I'm on the bus.
Most of my friends go to the gym two or three times a week.
My wife likes the seaside, but I prefer the mountains
no need to specify the noun even more
The (
generalisation
)
talking about
particular things not in generality
Move the books off that chair and sit down. (= particular books)
Books are expensive
generalizing the group, not talking about its members,
COUNTABLE
Stars vary greatly in size, (every one is different)
The stars are really bright tonight, (the whole of our familiar night sky)
New Zealanders don’t like to be mistaken for Australians.
The Australians suffered heavy losses in the First World War
A/An
talking about
’one’ countable noun (any NP)
a secretary; an office
She's a doctor.; A glider is a plane with no engine.
She’s a nice person.; That was a lovely evening.
talking about
noun phrases in other phrases
You shouldn't go out without a coat.
three-quarters of a pound
I haven’t got a pen.
mention something or someone for the first time
There's a police car outside. (It is there for a day now.)
My brother's married to a doctor (He is a dentist.)
mention any single member of a group
A doctor must like people. (= any doctor)
I would like to live in an old house. (= any old house)
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