ENGLISH Definite Indefinite

ENGLISH THE /ð ə / before consonant sounds /ði/before vowel sounds

a) To express uniqueness  The earth  The White house b) Before a noun that has become definite as a result of being mentioned a second time  His car struck a tree; you can still see the mark on the tree.

c) Before a noun made definite by the addition of a phrase or relative clause.  The boy that I met.  The place where I met him. d) Before a noun which, by reason of locality, can represent only one particular thing.  Ann is in the garden (= the garden of this house).  Please pass the wine (= the wine on the table).

e) Before superlatives, cardinal numbers (first, second, etc.) and the word only, when they are used as adjectives.  Most people think that Monday is the worst day in the week. f) Before singular nouns used to represent a class of objects.  The cow is a useful animal.  The rose is the sweetest of all flowers.

g)Before nationality nouns ending in –ish, -sh, - ch, -ese.  The Spanish  The English h) Before names of some groups of islands, oceans, canals, rivers, seas, chains of mountains and names of some countries.  The Panama Canal  The Bahamas The united states of America

j) Before the names of musical instruments.  The flute  The piano k) With the names of meals when they are modified by phrases  The dinner given to celebrate their victory cost £200.

l) When nouns refer to aspects of mass communication  the news  the radio m) With the names of some illnesses and diseases.  The flu  The hiccups n) Before common nouns referring to a specific person or place.  We are going to the hairdresser’s.  You should take your car to the mechanic’s.

o) Periods of time.  The 1960s  The 20th century p) If a noun referring to a language is followed by the word language.  The Spanish language is not as easy as the English language. q) We use the to refer to a family.  The Johnson family

THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE

English:  A / Ә / before consonant sound  An / Ә n/ before vowel sound

Uses of the indefinite article in English. a) Before a singular noun which is countable when it is mentioned for the first time and represents no particular or specific person or thing.  A dog is an animal.  A cat can catch a mouse.

b) Before a singular countable noun which is used as an example of a class of things.  A cow has horns.  A palm tree is usually very tall. c) With certain numerical expressions  A couple (of).  A dozen.

With expressions of price, speed, etc.  A kilo  Four times a day. e) With few and little:  A few  A little g) In exclamations before singular, countable nouns.  What a hot day!  What a pretty girl!

i) With there is/was  There is a beer in the fridge.  There was an accident on the corner. j) In naming things  It’s a Caterpillar.  It’s a vampire.