1. CHAPTER THREE (English Grammar)
ARTICLES: A, An and The

2. USE OF “A” and “An”
A is used before words that begin with a consonant. Consonants are b, c, d, f, g …….
An is used before words that begin with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).

3. USE OF “A” and “An” Examples A table, a watch, a man, a pump, a book
An apple, an orange, an owl, an acre
This is a man
This is a table
He is eating an orange
I saw an owl on a tree

4. USE OF “A” and “An” Examples An hour An honourable man
When a word begins with h, and the h is not pronounced (i.e. it is silent), an and not a is used.
Examples
An hour
An honourable man
I will get there in an hour.
Mr. Malima is an honourable man.

5. USE OF “A” and “An”
When eu, ew or u are pronounced as if they were y, a and not an is used.
Examples
a European,
a ewe (female sheep),
a useless pen,
Magolo is behaving like a European.
This is a useless knife because it cannot cut meat.

6. USE OF “A” and “An”
When O is pronounced as if it were w, a and not an is used.
Examples
a one-sided match
Let students mention things they know that begin with a or an.

7. USE OF “A” and “An” EXERCISE Use a or an with these nouns:
….engine, ….hotel, ….hare, ….honour, ….answer, …..incident, …..holiday, ….opponent, ….uniform, ….university

8. USE OF “A” and “An” EXERCISE
Complete these sentences by inserting a or an or by omitting them altogether.
You will find it …… interesting book.
…… poet is a man who writes ….. poems.
This gentleman is …… European.
She saw …… lamb and …… ewe in the farm.
The gardener offered ….. piece of …… mango.

9. USE OF “A” and “An” EXERCISE (cont….) We had ……. holiday on Wednesday.
…… unknown man took the clock away.
…… umpire is a man who judges …… cricket match.
This fax machine is making ….. noise.
Mecca is …… place of ……. pilgrimage.
Mkwasa is …….hard working leader.

10. Use of “The”
We use “The” to show or indicate a particular person, object or thing.
Examples
This is the policeman who arrested my son.
Here is the boy who won the prize.
This is the girl I was telling you about.
This is the student who was absent yesterday.
Ngasa is the player who scored the winning goal.

11. Use of “The”
EXERCISE
Put “a”, “an” or “the” to complete the sentences correctly:
This is ……. teacher I told you about.
May I use your plough with ……. ox?
This is …… book you ordered from Nairobi.
She carries ……. arrow like .….warrior.

12. Use of “The” EXERCISE (cont…) The bullet shot through …… air.
Musa is …… lazy boy.
The leader gave …… useless plan.
It is raining, so you need to carry …… umbrella.
The Head of Department is in …….. office.
We have ……. European teacher in our school.