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Indefinite and definite articles
Indefinite articles and quantifiers
Indefinite articles and quantifiers
a and an are called indefinite articles because they are used to refer to something in a less specific manner (an unspecified count noun).We use a before singular count-nouns that begin with consonantsa + a consonant sound
a car a policeman a sofa
we use an before singular count-nouns that begin with vowels or vowel-like sounds
an + a vowel sounds (a, i, u, e ,o)
an artist an astronaut an island
Words that begin with an ”h” sound often require an a (as in a horse, a history book, a hotel), but if an h-word begins with an
actual vowel sound, use an an (as in an hour, an honor)
a useful device and a union matter because the u of those words actually sounds like ”y” (as opposed, say, to the u of an ugly
incident). The same is true of a European and a Euro (because of that consonantal “y” sound)
a once-in-a-lifetime experience or a one-time hero because the words once and one begin with a w sound
Indefinite article a/an
1. is used with singular countable nouns when we talk about things in general.
An aeroplane is faster than a train. Which aeroplane? Aeroplane in general
A crocodile is very dangerous animal. Which crocodile?
We don’t mean a specific crocodile.But we mean crocodile in general
2. is often used after the verbs “to be” and “to have”
Mr. Lee is a doctor.Mr. Hasan was a doctor.
George has got a new sports car
Unit of measurements
Unit of Measurement are
used with both count and
noncount nouns.
This Pattern : Number or Percent + Unit + Of + Name of
Item
Note : Dozen does not use “of”
Compare : I bought a dozen eggsI bought a carton of eggs
Indefinite articles and pronoun
Indefinite Adjectives and Pronouns
Much, a little, only a little, not much, very little, less and the least are used as adjectives with noncount nouns. They also may be used without the noun.
Noncount Nouns
No Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite Pronouns
1. Andi has a little money Andi has a little
2. How much money do you have?
I don’t have much
Many, a few, few, several, only a few, not many, fewer and the fewest are used with count nouns. They may also be used without the noun.
Count Nouns
No Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite Pronouns
1. Andi has a few dollars Andi has a few
2. I don’t have many dollar bills I don’t have many
(The) most, a lot (of), lots (of), plenty (of), some, any and no are used with both count and noncount nouns.
Both Count and Noncount
Nouns
No Indefinite Adjectives Indefinite Pronouns
1. Andi has a lot of money Andi has a lot
2. Do you have any dollar bills? I don’t have any
The Definite Article with Count and
Noncount Nouns
The Definite Article with Count Nouns
Structures Explanations Examples
Nonspecific (without the)
The is not used with nonspecific nouns.A or an is used with a singular noun, and no articles are used with plural nouns.
SingularToday a company may earn over $1 billion annuallyPluralToday companies may earn over $1 billion annually
Specific (with the)
The is used before a singular or plural count noun when that noun is specifically identified or its identity is already understood
Today, the companies that earn over $1 billion annually are primarily oil companies
The Definite Article with Noncount Nouns
Structure Explanations Examples
Nonspecific (without the)
No articles are used with unspecified nouns
Gold is a precious metal
Specific (with the)
The is used with a noncount noun when the noun is identified by a phrase or clause
The is usually used with superlatives
- The gold in jewelry is mixed with other metals
- The gold that is used in jewelry is mixed with other metals
- South Africa produces the most gold in the world
The with QuantifiersQuantifiers such as all, most, some, and enough can be used as pronouns followed by prepositional phrases. When the quantifier is used as an adjectives, the is omitted in most cases.
With the (pronoun quantifier + phrase)
Without the (adjective quantifier)
Count Nouns
All of the passengers are on board
All passengers are on board
Noncount Nouns
Most of the luggage is now on board
Most luggage is now on board
Quantifiers and subject / verb Agreement
Explanations Expression
A variety of quantifiers may be used as pronouns and followed by of the (or of + demonstrative or possessive) + noun.
They may also be used as adjectives with either count or noncount nouns (all money, enough people)
All, most, some, enough
Fractions and percentages
In formal English, none is always followed by a singular verb.
None
The Number Of versus A Number Of : Subject / Verb
AgreementBoth a number of and the number of are followed by plural nouns. However, the use of a or the affects both the meaning of the phrase and the form of the verb that follows.
Explanations Examples
A number of A number of means “many”. The verb must be plural
A number of ships were built
The number of The number of refers to a specific quantity. It must be followed by a singular verb
The number of ships was quite high
Two Part Subjects : Subject / Verb Agreement
Structures Explanations
both . . . . . and A plural verb always follows subjects with both . . . . and
either . . . orneither . . . nornot only . . . but also
With these expressions, the verb is singular or plural, depending on the subject closest to the verb
Along withAs well asIn addition toTogether with
The nouns that follow these expressions do not affect the verb. The subject alone determines whether the verb is singular or plural.