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UNIT 7: GRAMMAR
Articles/ countavle and uncountable nouns/quantifiers
Indefinite article
There are two indefinite articles in English: ‘a’ and ‘an’. ‘An’ is used before
vowel sounds
Use
Example
Singular countable nouns (when we
are not being specific or when we
mention something for the first time)
There’s a good film on TV tonight.
Whether we use ‘an’ or ‘a’ depends on the sound, not the spelling.
✔ The news is on TV in an hour.
✘ The news is on TV in a hour.
✔ Being in a film was a unique experience for me.
✘ Being in a film was an unique experience for me
Definite article
There is one definite article in English: ‘the’
Use
Example
Singular countable nouns (when we
are being specific)
Where’s the DVD you were talking
about?
Singular countable nouns (when we
are talking generally)
The radio seemed amazing to people
at first.
Plural countable nouns (when we are
being specific)
I didn’t believe the rumours about the
Prime Minister.
Uncountable nouns (when we are
being specific)
I followed the advice my lawyer gave
me.
The way we say ‘the’ changes depending on the sound at the start of
the next word.
Before a consonant sound ( the media, the USA, the programme), we
pronounce it
Before a vowel sound ( the announcer, the actor, the editor), we pronounce it
We often use ‘the’ when we are talking about something there is only
one of
The sky, the sun, the moon, the Prince of Wales, the North Pole, the World
Cup
Zero article
We often don’t use an article at all. This is sometimes called the zero article.
Use
Example
Plural countable nouns (when we are
talking generally)
Journalists often face dangerous
situations.
Uncountable nouns (when we are
talking generally)
News travels fast these days.
Articles in phrases and expression
Notice how we use articles in the following phrases and expressions. Many of
these are examples of general categories. For example, ‘the River Thames’