articles

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3

Articles

A - AN - THE - Ø 

Today's goal

At the end of this lesson you should be able to know when to use which article: A - AN - THE - Ø 

1st: the indefinite article

A or AN (indefinite articles)

You use A before words that start with a consonant (b,c,d,f,etc) sound

ex. a book [b] / a desk [d] / a unit [j]

You use AN before words that start with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) sound.

ex. an apple [è] / an egg [è] / an hour [au]

2nd: the definite article THE

Pronounce THE as [thuh] before all consonant (b,c,d,f,etc) sounds.

ex the table [t] / the cup [k] / the one armed bandit [w]

Pronounce THE as [thee ] before all vowel (a,e,i,o,u) sounds.

ex The insect [i] / the oval office [o] / the onion [uh]

THE (definite article) or NO ARTICLE ( Ø) 

THE (definite article) or NO ARTICLE ( Ø) 

Public buildings     /   Seasons       /   Meals

THE (definite article) or NO ARTICLE ( Ø) 

Public buildings     /   Seasons       /   Meals

When you talk about these three in general - you use: NO ARTICLE ( Ø) 

ex. He went to Ø university last year.

ex. Ø Spring is a wonderful time of the year.

ex. When shall we have Ø lunch?

THE (definite article) or NO ARTICLE ( Ø) 

Public buildings     /   Seasons       /   Meals

When you talk about these three in general - you use: NO ARTICLE ( Ø) 

ex. He went to Ø university last year.

ex. Ø Spring is a wonderful time of the year.

ex. When shall we have Ø lunch?

When you talk about something specific: you use the definite article THE

ex. They built the hospital in 1985.

ex. The summer of ‘69 was very warm.

ex. The lunch they served today was fantastic!

there are exceptions of course

there are exceptions of course

You use THE after the verb ‘play’ when talking about the use of a musical instrument       ex He plays the drums / the piano.

there are exceptions of course

You use THE after the verb ‘play’ when talking about the use of a musical instrument       ex He plays the drums / the piano.

Study the following expressions:

The sooner, the better.

to be at Ø work

to go by Ø car

to dress in Ø white

A or Ø 

A or Ø 

You use A / AN - 

- when talking about jobs in general

ex. She is a nurse in London. (one among all nurses in London)

- when talking about nationalities

ex. He is an Egyptian

- when talking about religions

ex. He is a catholic.

religion ex. He is a Muslim / Catholic. 

A or Ø 

You use A / AN - 

- when talking about jobs in general

ex. She is a nurse in London. (one among all nurses in London)

- when talking about nationalities

ex. He is an Egyptian

- when talking about religions

ex. He is a catholic.

Use THE when there is only one of someone or something.

ex. The British Prime Minister is visiting Japan.

There is ...
green English book on the desk.

My father is ...
honest person.

... university

My brother does not eat ... chicken.

Look at ... woman over there! She is a famous actress.

I live in ... apartment. ... apartment is new.

Sara can play ... guitar.

I do not like ... basketball.

... night is quiet. Let's take a walk!