The Article The Indefinite, Definite and Zero Article

THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE 1. We use the indefinite article, a/an, with countable nouns when the hearer/reader does not know exactly which one we are referring to: Police are searching for a 14-year-old girl. 2. We also use it to show that the person or thing is one of a group: She is a pupil at London Road School.

Examples: indefinite article Police have been searching for a 14 year-old girl who has been missing since Friday. Jenny Brown, a pupil at London Road School, is described as 1.6 metres tall with short blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a blue and white blouse and dark blue jeans and blue shoes. Anyone who has information should contact the local police on

Plural and uncountable nouns We do not use an indefinite article with plural nouns and uncountable nouns: She was wearing blue shoes. (= plural noun) She has short blonde hair. (= uncountable noun)

Plural & uncountable nouns cont. Police have been searching for a 14 year-old girl who has been missing since Friday. Jenny Brown, a pupil at London Road School, is described as 1.6 metres tall with short blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue jacket, a blue and white blouse and dark blue jeans and blue shoes. Anyone who has information should contact the local police on

Rules for a / an We use a/an to say what someone is or what job they do: My brother is a doctor. George is a student. 5. We use a/an with a singular noun to say something about all things of that kind: A man needs friends. (= All men need friends) A dog likes to eat meat. (= All dogs like to eat meat) (BBC World Service)

‘An’ before a vowel 6. We use an before a vowel. I don’t like being in an argument with her. Learning to ride an elephant isn’t easy. She’s an intelligent girl. BUT She’s a highly intelligent girl. He is going into hospital for an operation. Go and buy an umbrella – it’s raining! 6a. What about words which don’t start with vowels but which sound like vowels? Example: I’ll be an hour late.

‘An’ and H-words The initial sound of hour is /aʊ/, a vowel (well, actually, a diphthong), and not the consonant /h/. Hour is pronounced the same way as our -we say the h is unaspirated. The 'rule' is to use an rather than a before a word beginning with a vowel sound. (English.stackexchange.com) Other examples: An honourable man An honest appraisal But: A holiday A habitat A horrible experience

The definite article The definite article the is the most frequent word in English. We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the hearer/reader knows exactly what we are referring to because there is only one: The Pope is visiting Russia. The moon is very bright tonight. I am going to take the 8.30 train to work.

Definite article with superlative adjective This is why we use the definite article with a superlative adjective: He is the tallest boy in the class. It is the oldest building in the town. because there is only one in that place or in those surroundings: (British Council.org)

The Zero article Nouns usually have an article; the indefinite articles 'a' or 'an' or the definite article 'the'. Sometimes though there is no article associated with a noun and this can be called the 'zero' article. Today we learn some simple rules for when not to use an article. 1. to talk about plural and uncountable nouns or when talking about things in general: I'm terrified of heights I'm into drum and bass. I hate cheese. 2. before countries, towns, streets, languages and single mountains: I'm from China. I've climbed Mount Everest. She speaks French.

Last examples 3. Before some places and with some forms of transport: I live at home with my parents. I came here by car. He goes to work by bus. 4. In exclamations with what + uncountable noun: What beautiful weather! What loud music! What disgusting food!

Exercises on the article Complete the dialogues with a / an, the OR zero article. Where more than one answer is possible, consider any differences in meaning. 1 A: What’s the matter? B: I’ve been working in the garden all …………….. afternoon and my back aches. 2 A: Can you remember when we last saw Alex? B: It was ………… Sunday in June, I think. 3 A: When did you get your laptop? B: July 15 th last year. I remember because it was also …….. day I passed my driving test. 4 A: I haven’t seen Subin for months. B: He’s been away in South Africa for ……. Winter. 5 A: I’ve spent ……… afternoon on the phone to my mother. B: Why? Is there a problem? 6 A: Shall we go out walking on ……. Sunday? B: No, I’m busy this weekend. 7 A: Do you remember when Mateo did all the cooking? B: Of course. It was …….. Christmas the rest of us had flu.

Exercises on the article cont. Complete the sentences using the words from the box (more than once). Add any other necessary words. air car post 1 A: I got …………………. from Carla yesterday. B: How is she now? 2The train was cancelled so I had to come …………… 3Research has found that living plants are efficient at absorbing pollutants in …………… 4The application forms came in ………….. this morning. 5The exam results will be sent …………….. on 24 th August. 6It’s raining so I think I’ll take ……………. 7 A: Shall I send Goran a letter? B: No, the quickest way to get in touch with him is ………… 8.Thailand – Getting there …………………………: The main international airport in Thailand is Suvarnabhumi Airport. Complete both sentences in this pair, using the word ‘children’ and add where necessary. 1a …………………… as young as ten are working in the clothing industry. 2b While you’re painting the sitting room, I’ll take ………… over to the park.

Answers to exercises 1 A: What’s the matter? B: I’ve been working in the garden all afternoon and my back aches. 2 A: Can you remember when we last saw Alex? B: It was a Sunday in June, I think. 3 A: When did you get your laptop? B: July 15 th last year. I remember because it was also the day I passed my driving test. 4 A: I haven’t seen Subin for months. B: He’s been away in South Africa for the Winter. 5 A: I’ve spent the afternoon on the phone to my mother. B: Why? Is there a problem? 6 A: Shall we go out walking on Sunday? B: No, I’m busy this weekend. 7 A: Do you remember when Mateo did all the cooking? B: Of course. It was the Christmas the rest of us had flu.

Answers to exercises cont. air car post 1 A: I got an from Carla yesterday. B: How is she now? 2The train was cancelled so I had to come by car / by air. 3Research has found that living plants are efficient at absorbing pollutants in the air. 4The application forms came in the post / an this morning. 5The exam results will be sent by post / by on 24 th August. 6It’s raining so I think I’ll take the car. 7 A: Shall I send Goran a letter? B: No, the quickest way to get in touch with him is by . 8.Thailand – Getting there by air: The main international airport in Thailand is Suvarnabhumi Airport. children 1a Children as young as ten are working in the clothing industry. 2b While you’re painting the sitting room, I’ll take the children over to the park.