Content:
I. Introduction
II. Definition
III. When to use articles
IV. Exceptions
V. Activity
I. Introduction
Articles in English are complicated, and there are many rules for their use. However, learning a few general rules about the use of the articles is helpful; the logic of these rules can be transferred to most uses of the article. In addition to learning the rules, you can gain a good working use of the articles through reading and listening.
II. Definition
In English grammar, an article is a type of determiner that follows a noun.
Basically, two articles are recognized in English: the definite article (the) and the indefinite (a/an). Generally speaking, the definite article specifies a particular individual in a particular context. The indefinite article indicates that the following noun is a member of a class. (The indefinite article a is used before a consonant sound, an before a vowel sound).
III. When to use articles
articles
-definite (the)
-indefinite( a, an)
Study and look at the chart below.
NOUN
-Common ( teacher, school) ✔
-Proper ( Francis, De La Salle University)✖
We basically use articles in front of a common noun.
Article is needed in front of a common, countable, singular noun.
Common/Countable/Singular
She is in the room.
Both sentences are correct; however, each sentence has a different meaning.
Common/Countable/Plural
Teachers are very generous. (general)
The teachers in the classroom are very generous. (specific)
Common/Uncountable
Water is dirty. (general)
The water in the bathroom is dirty. (specific)
Exceptions:
A and An are used when you are talking about an idea.
I want to eat a cucumber. ( There is no cucumber yet. It is just an idea.)
I want to eat the cucumber. (It is used when you are talking about specific thing.)
It is also used when it is clear in the situation which thing we mean.
Could you close the door?
In using the article "THE", you can see below a lost of the specific uses of the definite article "THE"
1. Parts of the house (the kitchen, the bedroom...)
2. Parts of the universe (the sun, the galaxy...)
3. Musical instruments (the piano, the violin...)
4.Ordinal numbers + Noun ( on the second floor...)
5. Dessert (the dessert/the Sahara dessert...)
6. Directions not followed by an noun (the north...)
7. Superlatives (the craziest, the most handsome...)
8. Adjectives not followed by a noun (the rich, the kind...)
9. Mountain ranges (the mountain, the Alps...)
10. Hotels and restaurants (the hotel/the secret garden hotel...)
11. Theaters and movie theaters (the theater/ the Magna Theater...)
12. Museum and gallery (the museum/ the National Museum...)
13. Organizations (the organization/ the Red Cross)
etc...
ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY A
http://www.agendaweb.org/exercises/grammar/a-an-the-exercises
ACTIVITY B
http://www.englishpage.com/articles/articles_9.htm
ACTIVITY C
http://www.quiz-tree.com/ESL-Grammar_Articles-1_1imageXML.html?subjPage=ESL_Grammar_main&tableID=2
