Copyright © 2012 The University of Adelaide Dr Julia Miller School of Education University of Adelaide

Choosing the right article Singular, countable noun Plural or uncountable noun Is it definite? Is it definite? Yes No Yes No the a the 0 The above chart is based on information in: Master, P 1986, Science, medicine and technology: English grammar and technical writing, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.

Use the when the speaker and the hearer share knowledge about a noun Ordinals and superlatives – the most famous lady detective of the twenty-first century Some countries – the United Kingdom, the Philippines Decades – the 1960s A unique place – the northern hemisphere, the equator Instruments people play – she plays the violin Unique adjectives – the only, the same Emphasis – the Sherlock Holmes (not another one) Shared knowledge – the famous detective (whose name is recognised by many people)

Relative clauses – The people who contact Ms Parrot, the cases she has solved Specific and followed by ‘of’ – The case of A noun associated with a previous noun – an owl/The bird Adjectives used as nouns – the poor, the common good Plural nouns preceded by ‘of’ – some of the cases Many organisations – the Grammar Survival Fund Representative of a class – the detective should use their skills

Use a/an for singular, countable nouns First mention of many singular, countable nouns – a parrot, an owl Rates – five times a day, $1000 an hour Jobs – she has been a detective for 30 years Part of a whole – a piece of cake Positive few or little – a few Exclamations – what a strange problem! Such a – such a fee

a or an? Use a before a consonant sound – a European, a strange problem, a detective Use an before a vowel sound – an Australian, an egg, an hour, an owl

Don’t use an article for: Languages – English, French, Portuguese Plural nouns preceded by many, some etc. – many people, some unusual problems Indefinite plural nouns – detectives generally, games, mysteries Indefinite uncountable nouns – fun, attention, modesty Negative little or few – little information Plural nouns preceded by numbers – thirty years

Is this correct? I read a book. Book was exciting. b) No – I read a book. The book was exciting. Correct answer: b – I read a book. The book was exciting. d) No – I read a book. A book was exciting. c) No – I read book. Book was exciting. a) Yes – I read a book. Book was exciting.

Complete this sentence: earth is planet. b) The earth is a planet. Correct answer: b – The earth is a planet. Correct answer: b – The earth is a planet. d) An earth is the planet. c) earth is a planet. a) The earth is planet.

Are the articles in this sentence correct? The cake I bought today was the only chocolate cake there. Are the articles in this sentence correct? The cake I bought today was the only chocolate cake there. Correct answer: a – The cake I bought today was the only chocolate cake there. Correct answer: a – The cake I bought today was the only chocolate cake there. a) Yes – The cake I bought today was the only chocolate cake there. c) No – The cake I bought today was a only chocolate cake there. d) No – Cakes I bought today was the only chocolate cake there. b) No – Cake I bought today was an only chocolate cake there.

Is this sentence correct? She plays violin for the homeless. b) No – She plays the violin for the homeless. Correct answer: b – She plays the violin for the homeless. Correct answer: b – She plays the violin for the homeless. d) No – She plays violin for homeless. c) No – She plays violins for homeless. a) Yes – It’s correct.

What two words are missing in this sentence? Australian dollar is currently stronger than Euro. What two words are missing in this sentence? Australian dollar is currently stronger than Euro. a) the/a Correct answer: d – The Australian dollar is currently stronger than the Euro. Correct answer: d – The Australian dollar is currently stronger than the Euro. c) an/an d) the/the b) a/a

What two words are missing in this sentence? I went to bakery. Cakes were delicious. What two words are missing in this sentence? I went to bakery. Cakes were delicious. a) a/0 Correct answer: d – I went to a bakery. The cakes were delicious. Correct answer: d – I went to a bakery. The cakes were delicious. c) an/The d) a/The b) a/A

Is this sentence grammatically correct? They earn $80 the hour. Is this sentence grammatically correct? They earn $80 the hour. a) No – They earn $80 hour. a) No – They earn $80 hour. Correct answer: b – They earn $80 an hour. Correct answer: b – They earn $80 an hour. c) No – They earn $80 a hour. c) No – They earn $80 a hour. d) Yes – They earn $80 the hour. d) Yes – They earn $80 the hour. b) No – They earn $80 an hour. b) No – They earn $80 an hour.

Is this sentence grammatically correct? Would you like piece of cake? Is this sentence grammatically correct? Would you like piece of cake? c) No – Would you like a piece of cake? Correct answer: c – Would you like a piece of cake? Correct answer: c – Would you like a piece of cake? d) No – Would you like a pieces of cake? b) Yes – Would you like piece of cake? a) No – Would you like piece of a cake?

Is this sentence grammatically correct? An university is the interesting place to study. Is this sentence grammatically correct? An university is the interesting place to study. Correct answer: b – A university is an interesting place to study. Correct answer: b – A university is an interesting place to study. a) No – An university is a interesting place to study. c) Yes – An university is the interesting place to study. d) No – A university is the interesting place to study. b) No – A university is an interesting place to study.

Is this sentence grammatically correct? 1970s were the best years of the twentieth century. Is this sentence grammatically correct? 1970s were the best years of the twentieth century. a) No – 1970s were the best years of twentieth century Correct answer: b – The 1970s were the best years of the twentieth century. Correct answer: b – The 1970s were the best years of the twentieth century. c) Yes – 1970s were the best years of the twentieth century d) No – The 1970s were the best years of twentieth century b) No – The 1970s were the best years of the twentieth century

Is this sentence grammatically correct? Some of people (in this room) don’t like quiz shows! Is this sentence grammatically correct? Some of people (in this room) don’t like quiz shows! Correct answer: d – Either Some people or Some of the people (in this room) Correct answer: d – Either Some people or Some of the people (in this room) d) No – Some people or Some of the people c) Yes – Some of people b) No – It can only be Some people a) No – It can only be Some of the people

Is this sentence grammatically correct? France, the United Kingdom, Portugal and the Netherlands are all in Europe. Is this sentence grammatically correct? France, the United Kingdom, Portugal and the Netherlands are all in Europe. a) No – The France, the United Kingdom, the Portugal, the Netherlands, the Europe Correct answer: c – It’s correct. c) Yes – It’s correct. d) No – France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Netherlands, the Europe b) No – France, United Kingdom, Portugal, Netherlands, Europe

Correct this sentence as necessary: A/The library is a place where you find books. b) Only ‘the’ is possible: The library is the place where you find books. Correct answer: a – Both are possible. A/The library is a place where you find books. Correct answer: a – Both are possible. A/The library is a place where you find books. d) Neither is possible: Libraries are places where you find books. c) Only ‘a’ is possible: A library is a place where you find books. a) Both are possible: A/The library is a place where you find books.

Choosing the right article Singular, countable noun Plural or uncountable noun Is it definite? Is it definite? Yes No Yes No the a the 0 The above chart is based on information in: Master, P 1986, Science, medicine and technology: English grammar and technical writing, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.

Support for this resource was provided by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching. The views expressed in this resource do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching. Copyright © 2012 The University of Adelaide Dr Julia Miller School of Education University of Adelaide