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Common errors in English : a,an,The

Common errors in English : a,an,The. BPL-ESL June 27, 2014. Rule # 1. Do NOT use a/an with plural or uncountable nouns. a fact = correct a facts = incorrect (plural) an advice = incorrect (uncountable). Rule #2. A/An follows the SOUND, not the LETTER. a university an umbrella

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Common errors in English : a,an,The

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  1. Common errors in English : a,an,The BPL-ESL June 27, 2014

  2. Rule # 1 • Do NOT use a/an with plural or uncountable nouns • a fact = correct • a facts = incorrect (plural) • an advice = incorrect (uncountable)

  3. Rule #2 • A/An follows the SOUND, not the LETTER • a university • an umbrella • a hat (h is not silent) • an hour (h is silent)

  4. Rule #3 • Do NOT use a/an without a noun following it • He is an intelligent = incorrect (intelligent is an adjective, not a noun) • He is an intelligent man = correct (now has the noun man after an intelligent)

  5. Rule #4 • THE can be used for singular/plural, and for countable/uncountable nouns, when talking about something specific (not general) • I love pasta (general) • I love the pasta at that restaurant (specific) • I need advice. (general) • The advice you gave me was very helpful. (specific)

  6. Rule #5 • Do NOT use THE for proper nouns • Names of continents/countries*/states/cities/streets • *exceptions: the US, the UK, the Philippines • Companies & Universities** • **exceptions: If the university’s name BEGINS with university, then use the (the University of Miami) • Languages & Holidays • I’d like to visit Russia. • Have you ever been to California? • My husband works at Starbucks. • He graduated from Harvard. • My sister will be going to the University of Ohio this summer. • He speaks Italian fluently. • The library will be closed on New Year’s Day

  7. Rule #6 • With other places, THE is sometimes used: • Do NOT use THE with individual lakes or mountains • Use THE with oceans, rivers, valleys, deserts, mountain ranges, points on the globe • The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest. • We went sailing on the Charles River.

  8. More on using THE • Do NOT use THE with the following places: • I’m going home. • She’s at work. • He’s in jail. • We went to church on Sunday. • My kids went to bed. • My brother’s in college. • Use THE with the following places: • Let’s go to the movies. • I need to go to the bank. • Her mother is in the hospital. • I need to get a taxi to the airport. • I’ll wait for you at the train station. • I’m going to the dentist tomorrow.

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