English has two articles: «the» and «a/an». «The» is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; «a/an» is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call «the» the definite article and «a/an» the indefinite.
«the» = definite article
Let’s read the book. – Meaning a specific book
«a/an» = indefinite article
Let’s read a book. – Meaning any book (there are a number of books) rather than a specific book
“A” and “an” show that the noun is indefinite, referring to any member of a group.
My little son really wants a dog for his birthday. – This refers to any dog. We don’t know which dog because we haven’t found the dog yet.
Somebody call a doctor! – This refers to any doctor. We don’t need a specific doctor; we need any doctor who is available.
When I was at the zoo, I saw a giraffe! – We’re talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case a giraffe. There are probably several giraffes at the zoo, but there’s only one we’re talking about here.
Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word.
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a + singular noun beginning with a consonant |
a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog |
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an + singular noun beginning with a vowel |
an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan |
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a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound |
a user; a university; a unicycle |
If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:
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a broken egg |
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an unusual problem |
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a European country |
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The shows that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group.
The dog that bit me ran away. – Here, we’re talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.
I was happy to see the doctor who saved my life! – Here, we’re talking about a particular doctor. Even if we don’t know the doctor’s name, it’s still a particular doctor because it is the one who saved the person’s life.
I saw the giraffe at the zoo. – Here, we’re talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one giraffe at the zoo.
We say the… when it is clear which thing or person we are talking about.
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the door |
of a particular room |
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the ceiling |
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the floor |
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the carpet |
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the light |
Turn off the light and close the door.
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the roof |
of a particular house |
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the balcony |
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the terrace |
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the garden |
|
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the kitchen |
Where’s your sister? She’s playing in the garden.
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the centre |
of a particular town |
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the station |
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the airport |
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the town hall |
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the downtown |
How do I get to the station?
Упражнения
Beginner
Упражнение на неопределенный артикль
Упражнения на определенный артикль The
Elementary
Pre-intermediate
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