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ARTICLES
Renata SantosVírning Moizinho
Typical ELL Errors
• Articles are problematic because some languages have no articles (Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Vietnamese).
• Some languages have only the definite article (Arabic).
• Others have the same articles as English but their usage does not overlap exactly (French, German, Spanish).
Typical ELL Errors
Noticing the gap:
• “Every family dreams about comfortable and luxurious house.”
• “After reading this book, I can understand the nouns and the verbs much better. I still need help with the adjectives.”
INDEFINITE ARTICLES
• We use the indefinite articles a and an only before singular count nouns.
• We use a and an with singular count nouns that are not specific and are being mentioned for the first time.
• E.g.; A penguin is a small black and white bird. An igloo is a dwelling that is made of ice.
Indefinite Articles: a, an
Rules:• Use a before a noun or an adjective that begins
with a consonant sound.
• e.g.; a feather, a gray feather.
• Use an before a noun or an adjective that begins with a vowel sound.
• e.g.; an idea, an absurd idea.
The Definite Article the
• There are several different situations in which we use the definite article the in English.
• 1) Something specific: • e.g.; The umbrella next to the door is not mine.
• 2) Listener and speaker talk about the same specific item:
• e.g.; Bob, don’t forget to close the window.
• 3) Second and all references to the same noun: • First reference: Julia and I bought a car last week./Second
reference: The car is very comfortable.
The Definite Article the
• 4) Superlative form of an adjective;
• e.g.; In a jewelry store, diamonds are the most expensive item.
• 5) Names of countries that look plural, including –s or have the words united, union, republic, or kingdom.
• e.g.; the Philippines, the United States, the Netherlands.
The Definite Article the
• 6) Parts of something (except for body parts).
• e.g.; I went to Paul’s flat yesterday. His living room is awesome. The curtains are great and the sofa is really big and comfortable.
• 7) Most bodies of water except individual lakes.
• e.g.; The Pacific Ocean, The Mississippi River, The Mediterranean Sea, The Great Lakes (but Lake Michigan).
The Definite Article the
• 8) Geographic parts of the globe and geographic areas, deserts, and peninsulas.
• e.g.; The equator, the Middle East, the Gobi Desert, The South.
No Article
In English there are a few situations in which articles are not used with a noun.
No Article
Rules:• 1) Talking about a category or group in general.
• E.g.; Dogs are wonderful pets.
• 2) Before abstract nouns such as feelings or ideas.
• E.g.; A person’s future success depends on education (not on the education).
What ELLs Should Know
• 1) Do not use a singular count noun without a article (or other determiner).
• A job, an apple, the reason
• 2) Do not use a with a noun that begins with a vowel sound.
• An hour, an heir, an honorable colleague
What ELLs Should Know
• 3) Do not use the with a plural count noun that refers to the whole category.
• I don’t trust politicians. They are an ornery bunch of people.
• 4) Do not use the with abstract nouns or ideas.
• Education is the most important thing in my life.
Native Language Interference
Arabic:• Has a definite article;
• Requires the definite article with abstract nouns;
• Refers to the whole group;
• Has no indefinite article.
Native Language Interference
Chinese; Japanese; Korean; Russian:
• These languages have no articles; Overuse of this and that in lieu of articles.
• ELLs who speak these languages exhibit persistent errors with articles.
Native Language Interference
French; Spanish:• Have definite and indefinite articles.
• The definite article is used for specific things and also to refer to a whole group.
• The definite article must be used with abstract nouns.
Native Language Interference
French; Spanish:
• Indefinite articles are not to be used when talking about professions.
• Both these languages have plural forms of the articles.
