Grammar rules

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

Lesson structure 

Grammar rules

articles 

were - where - we're 

then vs than

Learning Goal

At the end of this class the students will at least know what articles are

What are articles?

Anyone any idea?

Let's take a look at the examples

a book

an ebook

the book

Articles are words that define a noun noun as specific or unspecific

Om die reden gebruiken we dus

a/an OR the

We use a/an – the indefinite article – when we talk about something for the first time, or something that is part of a group or type.

We use the – the definite article – when the listener already knows which thing we are talking about because it was mentioned before or because there's only one of them.

Look at these examples below:

She's a doctor.

I need an umbrella.

Have you heard the news?

Complete the next sentences with 'a', 'an' or 'the'

Can you note the difference?

____
money he gave me wasn't enough.

Could you please pass me ____ salt?

Do you want ____ apple? I've got two in my bag.

This is my uncle Phil. He's ____ teacher and he lives in London.

Is there ____ university where you live?

Exceptions

There are some nouns (ZNW), that begin with a vowel (klinker), but where "a" is used as an exception. 

This is, because the noun starts with the consonant-like sound- “you”. 

That means that they are treated like a noun that starts with a consonant (medeklinker).

were - where - we're 

Were (waren) is the past tense of be when used as a verb.

Where (waar) means in a specific place when used as an adverb or conjunction

We're (wij zijn)

Test!

Choose the correct from

is it were or where?

She hoped the Zimbabweans were/where tolerant people.

She remained were/where she was.

The bodies were/where
long gone.

I saw where/were this was going

Why where/were
his parents not there?

I knew were/where
the train station was

If it were/where
up to me, I'd fire him

Then VS Than

Than is used in comparisons and as a preposition (voorzetsel) 

Then indicates time. It is used as an adverb (bijwoord)

Keeping 'Then' and 'Than' Separate

The way to keep the pair straight is to focus on this basic difference: 

- than is used when you're talking about comparisons; 

- then is used when you're talking about something relating to time

Than is the word to choose in phrases like smaller than, smoother than, and further than

Then—the option to choose when time is involved—fits in the phrases just then and back then, and after words like since and until.

Let's test you again!

Bagels were cheaper back then/than

I poured a glass of juice and then/than sat down to eat

Veron is stronger than/then Sil

Ryan is taller than/then the teacher

Lucie ate her breakfast and then/than came to school

If the students don't get the grammar rules, than/then I will be in trouble

Any questions?

Do we know now what articles are?

What is the difference between were - where -  we're

What is the difference between than - then