English Articles

1. English Articles The four common English articles Indefinite: A, An, Null/Zero Definite: The, Null/Zero Presented by Wayne Cheek

2. Three guidelines that will help you determine which article to use • Is the noun countable? • Is the noun plural or singular? • Is the noun definite?

3. 1. Is the Noun Countable? Ask yourself, “Can there be more than one?” If YES, the noun is countable: Example: boy – boys, car – cars If NO, the noun is uncountable: Example: milk, water, air

4. 2. If the noun is countable, is it plural or singular? SINGULAR: boy, car, tree, ship PLURAL: boys, cars, trees, ships

5. 3. Is the noun definite? A noun is definite ONLY if it refers to something or someone specific. Example: Jack’s car, my laptop, Sue’s mother, Record-Hearld newspaper, PSU football team

6. Singular Countable Nouns Ask yourself: Is the noun definite? If YES, use the. The computer on the desk in my bedroom is old. The critique essay for ESL 015 is due today. If NO, use a or an. John ate an apple for lunch. I ate a sandwich for lunch.

7. Plural or Uncountable Nouns Ask yourself: Is the noun definite? If YES, use the. I have already read the three articles Dr. Samuels assigned for today’s class. Jason will buy the food for tonight’s party. If NO, use no article (null/zero). Old books are difficult to sell. American companies import oil.

8. Uncountable, Indefinite Nouns If you determine that the noun is both uncountable and indefinite, use no article. Kittens will not thrive on milk from the grocery store. Can you walk on water?

9. Memorize ThisA noun takes the definite article ONLY if it refers to something specific known to BOTH parties to the conversation (or the writing).

10. And Remember This ALL other situations indicate that the nouns are INDEFINITE – which means that ALL other common nouns will take indefinite articles

11. Quick Quiz You live in an apartment with three other students and share the use of one bicycle. Tonight you ask your roommates, “May I use the bicycle tomorrow?” Is the noun “bicycle” a definite noun?

12. Is “bicycle” a definite noun? Do you (the speaker) know which bicycle you are talking about? YES Do your roommates (the listeners) know which bicycle you are talking about? YES “Bicycle” is a definite noun!

13. Five Quick Ways to Tell Whether to Use the Definite or Indefinite Article • Previous mention • Specific identity • Something/Someone unique • Modifying word, phrase, or clause • Context or situation

14. Previous Mention There was a different person teaching Jim’s ESL class yesterday. (first mention = indefinite). I wonder if he is the new professor Jim mentioned last week? (second mention = definite)

15. Specific Identity When something (an adjective or a superlative) makes the noun’s identity specific, use “the”: The oldest person in my apartment is 23. (There can only be one oldest person in the apartment, so the noun is specific and takes the definite article.)

16. Something/Someone unique When the noun identifies someone or something that is unique, use “the”: The president spoke to congress last night. (There is only one president of the US, so the noun is definite and takes the definite article).

17. Modifying word, phrase, or clause A modifying word, phrase, or clause following the noun can help: Do you remember the soldier in the parade who ran over and kissed Sue last week? (Only one soldier did that, so the noun is definite and takes the definite article.) However, if I say, “Russell decided to read a book about swimming,” we don’t know which book about swimming he plans to read, so the noun is indefinite and takes the indefinite article.

18. Context or situation The context or situation can help. For example, if my wife and I are approaching the car after buying groceries, and I am carrying them, I could say, “Open the trunk for me, please.” (She certainly would know which trunk I want her to open, so the noun is definite and takes the definite article.) However, if I’m constructing a brick walkway and say, “Hand me a brick, please,” it doesn’t matter which brick I will receive, so the noun is indefinite and takes the indefinite article.

19. Special Cases • Use the in the names of • Countries in the plural, mountain ranges, and regions: the United States of America, the Rocky Mountains, the north of Canada • Island groups: the Canaries, the Bahamas, the British Isles • Names containing an “of phrase”: the Statue of Liberty • Rivers, Seas, Oceans: the Amazon, the Adriatic Sea, the Pacific Ocean

20. Special Cases Continued • Don’t use articles for • Names of sports: soccer, football, etc. • Academic subjects: math, chemistry, etc. • Names of most countries: China, India, etc. (there are some exceptions) • Nationalities & languages: Chinese, English, Italian (except when referring to the population: “The Italians are excellent cooks.”

21. In Conclusion Eliminate mistakes by • Memorizing the most common uncountable nouns. • Remembering • If it’s a definite noun, use THE. • Use A and AN only with singular nouns. • EVERY singular countable noun requires an article.

22. References • APPLNG 410 course at PSU • http://www.ccp.rpi.edu/ • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ • http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/writing-centres • http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/ • My High School English teachers, Mrs. Ramsey and Mrs. Richmond