Ch 6
A, An, The
a cat · an apple · the sun · no article
Articles tell us which thing or what kind of thing we mean. English has two: indefinite (a/an) and definite (the).
a / an
One of many — we don't know which one: a cat, an apple
the
The specific one we both know: the cat (our cat), the moon
∅ (zero)
No article for general ideas: I love music. She's from Spain.
Important: For things in general, English uses NO article: "I love music" (NOT "I love the music"), "Cats are clever".
a
Before consonant sounds: a cat · a book · a university (u = "you")
an
Before vowel sounds: an apple · an umbrella · an hour (h is silent)
Wrong
She is an doctor.
→ "d" is a consonant
It is an university.
→ sounds like "you"
Second mention
I saw a dog. The dog was big.
Unique things
The sun · the moon · the sky
Superlatives
The biggest · the most beautiful
Rivers/seas/deserts
The Amazon · the Pacific · the Sahara
No "the" with: Countries (Spain, NOT the Spain*), languages, meals, sports: "She speaks Spanish", "He plays football".
Uncountable (general)
I love music. She needs help. Life is short.
Plural (general)
Dogs are friendly. Computers changed the world.
Countries, cities
She lives in Japan. He is from Toronto.
Languages, sports
She speaks English. He plays tennis.
She is an student.
→
She is a student.
"st" is a consonant sound
The life is short.
→
Life is short.
General meaning → no article
I play the football.
→
I play football.
Sports → no article
She is from the Spain.
→
She is from Spain.
Most countries → no article
Use a / an / the — or no article — as you answer.
1
What do you see in this room? (a…, an…, the…)
2
What do you love in general? (music, football, cats…)
3
Describe a picture on your phone: There's a… The… is…
4
What job do you or a friend have? (She's a / an…)
Recap
a
before consonant sound
a cat, a book, a university
an
before vowel sound
an apple, an hour, an idea
the
specific / known
the sun, the door, the best
∅ zero
general / proper nouns
music, Spain, football