Articles
Articles
Articles
Indefinate articles: a/an (two forms of the same word) (an = used with words that start with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or words that sound like they start with a vowel, a = used with words that start with a consonant or words that sound like the start with a consonant e.g. University: I went to look at a university today.) Definate article: The The is used when we are thinking of a specific thing. E.g. Tim sat down on a chair (any chair in the classroom) vs. Tim sat down on the chair by the door. (a specific chair) Paula is looking for a job (any job) Did Paula get the job she applied for? (a specific job that she applied for) We use the when it is clear in the situation which thing or person we mean. E.g. in a room we talk about the windows, the carpet, the floor, the light. Can you turn off the light please (the light in this room) Id like to speak to the manager please (the manager in that shop) I have to go to the bank (we know which bank we want to go to) Is there a bank near here? (could be any bank) Other uses for the: - When there is only one of something. E.g. what is the longest river in the world? (there is only one longest river and one world) - But we use a/an to say what kind of thing something is. E.g. The hotel we stayed in was a very nice hotel. -We say: the sky, the environment, the sea, the country. - We dont use the for names of meals i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner, but if there is an adjective before we use a. e.g. I had a very nice breakfast today. A/an used when we dont know i.e. for new information. e.g. I bought a magazine and an apple. The magazine is in my bag but I lost the apple. (We already know about the magazine and the apple so we can use the).