Articles a an & the
1 Do you have ____ umbrella?
a or an?
2 I’d like to buy ____ hat, please.3 I’ll see you in ____ hour.4 UWS is ____ university.
1 Do you have an umbrella?
a or an?
2 I’d like to buy a hat, please.3 I’ll see you in an hour.4 UWS is a university.
an before a e i o u sounds
a /an for occupations
‘What do you do?’‘I’m a bus driver.’
‘What does she do?’‘She’s an electrician.’
Answers: Exercise 11 an old book2 a window3 a horse4 an airport5 a new airport6 an organisation7 a university8 an hour9 an economic problem
Answers: Exercise 2
1 A duck is a bird.2 A carrot is a vegetable.3 Tennis is a game.4 A hammer is a tool.5 Everest is a mountain.6 Jupiter is a planet.7 A pear is a fruit.8 The Amazon is a river.9 A rose is a flower.10 A trumpet is a musical instrument.
Answers: Exercise 3
1 She’s a dentist.
2 He’s a shop assistant.
3 She’s a photographer.
4 She’s a taxi-driver.
5 He’s an electrician.
6 She’s a nurse.
7 He’s a private detective.
a/ an and the 1 2 3
Can you open a window?
There are three windows here.
a window = window 1, 2 or 3
I’ve got a dog.(there are many dogs and I’ve got one)
I’m going to take the dog for a walk.(the dog = my dog)
Is there a dentist in Granville?(there are many dentists – is there one here?)
I went to the dentist yesterday.(the dentist = my dentist)
Sydney is a beautiful city.(there are many beautiful cities, Sydney is one)
Sydney is the capital of NSW.There is only one capital of NSW.
a / an and the
I bought __sandwich and __ milkshake. ___sandwich was nice but __ milkshake was horrible.
I bought a sandwich and a milkshake. The sandwich was nice but the milkshake was horrible.
the sandwich and the milkshake = my sandwich and my milkshake
a / an or the
We use the when it is clear which person or thing we mean. For example:
the roof, the backyard, the kitchen (house)
‘Where’s Sam?’ ‘He’s in the kitchen.’
the station, the airport, the bank (city or town)
the door, the ceiling, the light ( a room)
The
the same
Peter and Brian live in the same street.
(not in same street)
the sun/the moon/ the sky / the city / the country
I live in the city. (not - I live in city)
the police / the airforce / the army
the top / the bottom / the left / the right
Do not use the with:
• Names of people and names of places.
• I went to Canberra yesterday.
• I went to the Canberra yesterday. X
• I saw Sue last week.
• I saw the Sue last week. X
• breakfast / lunch / dinner
• days / months/ years
Answers: Exercise 11 We enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice.2 Can I ask a question?3 You need a holiday.4 Where’s Tom? He’s in the bathroom.5 Jane is an interesting person.6 A: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the city centre? B: Yes, you go straight ahead and then take the next turn left.7 A: Shall we go out for a meal this evening? B: Yes, That’s a good idea.
8 It’s a nice morning. Let’s go for a walk.9 Amanda is a good student. When she finishes her studies she wants to be a
journalist. She lives with two friends in a flat near the college where she is studying. The flat is small but she likes it.
10 Peter and Mary have got two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is seven years old and the girl is three. Peter works in a factory. Mary hasn’t got a job at the moment.
Answers: Exercise 2
1 Can you open the door please?
2 How far is it to the airport?
3 Can I have a cup of coffee please?
4 That’s a nice picture. I like it.
5 Can you turn off the radio please?
Why are you sitting on the floor?
Answers: Exercise 3
1 Don’t forget to turn off the light when you go out.2 Enjoy your holiday and don’t forget to send me a
postcard.3 What is the name of this village?4 Canada is a very big country.5 What is the largest city in Canada?6 I like this room but I don’t like the colour of the carpet.7 ‘Are you OK?’ ‘No, I’ve got a headache.’8 We live in an old house near the station.9 What is the name of the director of the film we saw last
night.
Quick Quiza / an / the or nothing.
1. Last night I stayed home and watched ____ television.2. ____ Mary used to live in ____ country.3. What do you usually eat for ____ breakfast?4. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on ____ phone.’5. ____Mike is ____ good student.6. ____Peter is _____ youngest student in the class.7. ____ Sydney is ____ interesting city.8. This class is ____ best class at using articles.
Quick Quiza / an / the or nothing.
1 Last night I stayed home and watched television.2 Mary used to live in the country.3 What do you usually eat for breakfast?4 ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on the phone.’5 Mike is a good student.6 Peter is the youngest student in the class.7 Sydney is an interesting city.8 This class is the best class at using articles.