Articles 1
23
Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise.
There are lots of rules about the use of articles. Here we’ll concentrate on 3 golden rules. Most mistakes with articles are made through breaking one of these rules.
1. When we say what people’s jobs are, we use a/an
She’s an architect.
He’s a doctor.
My grandfather was a teacher.
2. Singular, countable nouns always have an article – a/an or the – or another determiner (my, your, this, that etc.)
Remember that we use the indefinite article - a/an - when we talk about something that is not definite.
I saw a good film yesterday. The listener doesn’t know which film.
There’s a man at the door. We don’t know who the man is.
Do you want a drink? It’s not a particular drink.
… and we use the definite article - the – when we talk about something more certain.
I’m going to take the dog for a walk. The dog is a pet – it’s not just any dog.
Have you seen the car key? Speaker and listener know which car. It’s not just any car.
They live in the house opposite ours. There’s only one house opposite. It’s not any house.
3. When we talk about things in general we usually use a plural noun or an uncountable noun with no article.
Birds eat worms. NOT The birds eat the worms.
Water flows downhill.
Kangaroos live in Australia.
BUT We went to the zoo and saw the kangaroos. These are particular kangaroos – not kangaroos in general.
There are many other rules about articles but remembering these 3 golden rules will reduce the number of mistakes you make.
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Determiners›Grammar: articles (a, an, the, zero)
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Home » Grammar » Basic grammar
Articles 1
23
Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise.
There are lots of rules about the use of articles. Here we’ll concentrate on 3 golden rules. Most mistakes with articles are made through breaking one of these rules.
1. When we say what people’s jobs are, we use a/an
She’s an architect.
He’s a doctor.
My grandfather was a teacher.
2. Singular, countable nouns always have an article – a/an or the – or another determiner (my, your, this, that etc.)
Remember that we use the indefinite article - a/an - when we talk about something that is not definite.
I saw a good film yesterday. The listener doesn’t know which film.
There’s a man at the door. We don’t know who the man is.
Do you want a drink? It’s not a particular drink.
… and we use the definite article - the – when we talk about something more certain.
I’m going to take the dog for a walk. The dog is a pet – it’s not just any dog.
Have you seen the car key? Speaker and listener know which car. It’s not just any car.
They live in the house opposite ours. There’s only one house opposite. It’s not any house.
3. When we talk about things in general we usually use a plural noun or an uncountable noun with no article.
Birds eat worms. NOT The birds eat the worms.
Water flows downhill.
Kangaroos live in Australia.
BUT We went to the zoo and saw the kangaroos. These are particular kangaroos – not kangaroos in general.
There are many other rules about articles but remembering these 3 golden rules will reduce the number of mistakes you make.
Tags
Determiners›Grammar: articles (a, an, the, zero)
HELP & SUPPORT
COURSES
Find a face-to-face or online course near you.
BACK TO TOP
© British Council
The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
ICP#: 10044692
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you.
By continuing to browse the site we understand this is acceptable to you. Learn about managing cookies.
Yes, I agree No, I want to find out more
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Skip to main content Search form Search You are here Home » Grammar » Basic grammar Articles 1 23 Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise. There are lots of rules about the use of articles. Here we’ll concentrate on 3 golden rules. Most mistakes with articles are made through breaking one of these rules. 1. When we say what people’s jobs are, we use a/an She’s an architect. He’s a doctor. My grandfather was a teacher. 2. Singular, countable nouns always have an article – a/an or the – or another determiner (my, your, this, that etc.) Remember that we use the indefinite article - a/an - when we talk about something that is not definite. I saw a good film yesterday. The listener doesn’t know which film. There’s a man at the door. We don’t know who the man is. Do you want a drink? It’s not a particular drink. … and we use the definite article - the – when we talk about something more certain. I’m going to take the dog for a walk. The dog is a pet – it’s not just any dog. Have you seen the car key? Speaker and listener know which car. It’s not just any car. They live in the house opposite ours. There’s only one house opposite. It’s not any house. 3. When we talk about things in general we usually use a plural noun or an uncountable noun with no article. Birds eat worms. NOT The birds eat the worms. Water flows downhill. Kangaroos live in Australia. BUT We went to the zoo and saw the kangaroos. These are particular kangaroos – not kangaroos in general. There are many other rules about articles but remembering these 3 golden rules will reduce the number of mistakes you make. Tags Determiners›Grammar: articles (a, an, the, zero) Elementary: A2Intermediate: B1 LearnEnglish Grammar HELP & SUPPORT Getting started Find out your English level Why register? House Rules Frequently asked questions COURSES Find a face-to-face or online course near you. BACK TO TOP Twitter Facebook Email Terms of use Accessibility Privacy and cookies Contact us Site map © British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). ICP#: 10044692 This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. By continuing to browse the site we understand this is acceptable to you. Learn about managing cookies. Yes, I agree No, I want to find out more Skip to main content Search form Search You are here Home » Grammar » Basic grammar Articles 1 23 Read the grammar explanation and do the exercise. There are lots of rules about the use of articles. Here we’ll concentrate on 3 golden rules. Most mistakes with articles are made through breaking one of these rules. 1. When we say what people’s jobs are, we use a/an She’s an architect. He’s a doctor. My grandfather was a teacher. 2. Singular, countable nouns always have an article – a/an or the – or another determiner (my, your, this, that etc.) Remember that we use the indefinite article - a/an - when we talk about something that is not definite. I saw a good film yesterday. The listener doesn’t know which film. There’s a man at the door. We don’t know who the man is. Do you want a drink? It’s not a particular drink. … and we use the definite article - the – when we talk about something more certain. I’m going to take the dog for a walk. The dog is a pet – it’s not just any dog. Have you seen the car key? Speaker and listener know which car. It’s not just any car. They live in the house opposite ours. There’s only one house opposite. It’s not any house. 3. When we talk about things in general we usually use a plural noun or an uncountable noun with no article. Birds eat worms. NOT The birds eat the worms. Water flows downhill. Kangaroos live in Australia. BUT We went to the zoo and saw the kangaroos. These are particular kangaroos – not kangaroos in general. There are many other rules about articles but remembering these 3 golden rules will reduce the number of mistakes you make. Tags Determiners›Grammar: articles (a, an, the, zero) Elementary: A2Intermediate: B1 LearnEnglish Grammar HELP & SUPPORT Getting started Find out your English level Why register? House Rules Frequently asked questions COURSES Find a face-to-face or online course near you. BACK TO TOP Twitter Facebook Email Terms of use Accessibility Privacy and cookies Contact us Site map © British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). ICP#: 10044692 This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. By continuing to browse the site we understand this is acceptable to you. Learn about managing cookies. Yes, I agree No, I want to find out more Articles
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