Definite and indefinite articles explained in English Lesson 44

This English lesson explains the difference between definite and indefinite articles: the Indefinite articles, a, an, and the definite articles: the  article zero. no article. 

Indefinite articles: a. or.  an
definite articles: the  article zero. no article.

indefinite articles: a or an.
only used with singular nouns.
a + consonant sound.

an + vowel sound
an apple, an orange

definite articles: the / article zero (no article)
can be used with singular and plural nouns, and common and proper nouns too

the boy, the apple…

definite and indefinite articles
definite and indefinite articles

1/English Sentence Practice with definite and indefinite articles

We need a new dishwasher we don’t have enough money for an expensive one. They all have built-in obsolescence anyway.

What do you mean? They are built to last about the same time. If you buy an expensive one it will last three years the same as a cheap one.The manufacturers want to change every few years.

I will not pay an euro too much.

You mean a euro, it does not mean that because a letter starts with a vowel it begins with an.

It depends on the sound. I don’t wear a uniform I will see you in an hour.

What school did you go to anyway?

Don’t laugh, it was a grammar school, but perhaps not in the best area.

Let’s go to the shopping center on Saturday.

Any shopping center? No the one we always go to, unless you know of a better shopping center.

Prices have gone up a lot recently. A dishwasher is cheaper to buy online. The whole world seems to shop online these days.

In any case, we are not here during the week to take the delivery. We both have a job to go to, we go to work on weekdays.

On Saturday, we can go in the morning to the shop and speak to a salesman.

The salesman who specializes in Kitchen material.

What do you think? I think that it is a good idea.

Vocabulary

2/English Vocabulary Practice

  • Articles
  • definite and indefinite articles
  • a dishwasher
  • we don’t have enough money
  • an expensive one.
  • built-in obsolescence
  • What do you mean?
  • They are all built to last about the same time
  • an expensive
  • a cheap one
  • the manufacturers
  •  to change every few years.
  • a euro,
  •  a vowel
  • It depends on the sound
  • to wear a uniform
  • to see you in an hour.
  • What school did you go to anyway?
  • Don’t laugh,
  • a grammar school
  • the best area.
  • the shopping center
  • the one we always go to
  • unless you know of a better one.
  • Prices have gone up a lot
  •  recently
  • to buy online the whole world
  •  to shop online
  • these days.
  • during the week
  • to take delivery of.
  • to both have jobs
  • to go to work on weekdays.
  • a salesman.
  • to specialise in
  • Kitchen material.
  • What do you think?
  • I think that it is a good idea.

Grammar definite and indefinite articles.

English Articles

definite and indefinite articles.

Indefinite articles: a. or.  an
definite articles: the  article zero. no article.

indefinite articles: a or an.
only used with singular nouns.
a + consonant sound.
a boy, a cat, a job.
a hospital, a house.
a US (pronounced Y) citizen

an + vowel sound
an apple, an orange
a honour (silent h), an hour, an heir, an honest person…

definite articles: the / article zero (no article)
can be used with singular and plural nouns, and common and proper nouns too

the boy, the apple…

Firstly, names of hotels and restaurants.
Use of the definite article:
Example. The Ritz. The Hilton.

if the owner’s name is contained in the name of the hotel or restaurant:
Omission of the article:
Fred’s (no article)

Secondly. Use of the definite article with plural noun in proper nouns and names of families.
The Philippines.
The Simpsons.

Omission of the article with proper nouns
William. Simpson.

Thirdly.Use of the definite article when the words Republic, States, Kingdom are contained in the name:
The United States.
The UK.
The Netherlands.

Omission of the article with countries and cities.
France.
Paris.

Fourthly. Use of the definite article with newspapers:
The Guardian.
The Daily Mail.
The Times.

Omission of the article with book titles:
Harry Potter.

Fifthly. Use of the definite article with buildings and works of art:
The Empire State Building.
The Shard.
The Gherkin.

Omission of the article for particular buildings or locations.
Westminster Abbey.
Parliament Square.
Piccadilly Circus.

Sixthly. Use of the definite article with organisations:
The United Nations.
The RSPCA.
The Red Cross.

Seventhly. Use of the definite article with ordinal numbers:
the first.
the second.
the tenth.

Eighthly. Use of the definite article with superlatives:
the best
the worst
the most interesting

Ninthly. Use of the definite article with geographical features:
The Mississippi River
The Thames
The Black Forest

English Speaking

English Speaking Practise with definite and indefinite articles.

Do we need a new dishwasher?

Yes, we need one.

Which dishwasher would you like?

I would like the one in the window.

Do you wear a uniform?

Yes, I wear the uniform of the metropolitan police.

What day of the week are you free?

Any day, a day like today for instance.

Did you go to a grammar school?

Yes, I went to the grammar school in the centre of town.

Shall we buy an expensive one or a cheap one?

I think we should buy the one that is best.

Shall we go to the shopping centre?

Yes, there is a shop I want to visit.

Shall we go to any shopping centre?

No we will go to the one we always go to.

Does it depend on the sound?

I don’t know what you mean.

Do you like a good laugh?

Not when the laugh is on me.

Lesson 44 recap with Julia.


Exercises Lesson 44

Comprehension Practice

Vocabulary Practice

Grammar Practice

 

College of the Desert

What is the difference between definite and indefinite articles?

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