1. The Article
by
Juliana Canielo, Patrícia Gonçalves and Bruna Sardinha

2. Article
It is a word used with a noun to
indicate
grammatical definiteness.
Three categories: definite,
indefinite and zero article.
Indefinite
Article
Definite
Article
Zero Article

3. Indefinite Article

a/an
We use the indefinite article before singular count
nouns and adjectives.
a is used before a noun or an adjective + noun,
that begins with a consonant sound.
− She gave me a beautiful flower.
an is used before a noun or an adjective + noun,
that begins with a vowel sound.
− It's an elephant.

4. Indefinite Article

What is important to know:
− The indefinite article used before words
beginning with the letters h or u depends on
these letters sound.
− a unique (begins with consonant sound /y/).
− an unexpected visit (begins with a vowel
sound).
− a house (begins with consonant sound /h/).
− an hour (begins with a vowel sound).

5. Indefinite Article

What is important to know:
− A and an are moderns forms of the word one.
In some time back in History the speakers
separated one as a numeral and started to
use an only as article. The form a emerged
after that.
− Indefinition means uncertain or undecided.
The indefinite article is used to show that the
statement, idea or word is not a particular one.

6. Indefinite Article

Its uses:
− Something mentioned for the first time.

I have a new book. The book is called “The
Iliad”.
− Irrelevant identity.

It's just a book.
− General statement.

An idea is never ideal.

7. Indefinite Article

Common ELL Mistakes
− Omission of an article.

Wrong: Anna is girl.

Correct: Anna is a girl.
This case is frequent with Chinese, Japanese and Russian
speakers. It happens because their language do not have
articles.

Wrong: Daniel is Police Officer.

Correct: Daniel is a Police Officer.
This happens a lot with Latin languages speakers. It is a misuse of
direct translation. It is specific to sentences with professions after
the verb be.

8. Definite Article

the:
We use the definite article to show that the noun
is a particular one.
− This is the book I've told you about.

9. Definite Article

What is important to know
− It is used for singular and plural nouns.

John is the book writer.

The birds that were in the cage have escaped.

10. Definite Article

Its uses:
− To specify:

The box on the table is empty.
− When the speaker and the listener are talking
about the same item.

Jake, leave the TV on!
− Second and on references.

We are looking for a new apartment. The
apartment must be near the park.

11. Definite article

Its uses:
− Superlative form

That's the best pizza I've ever tasted.
− Names of country names that look plural or
end with -s

Have you ever been to the United States?
− Parts of something (except body parts).

I saw his new car at the other day. The color is
great and the wheels are fantastic.

12. Definite Article

Its uses:
− Bodies of water (except individual lakes)

There it is! The Arno River is beautiful.
− Geographic sites.

I've been through the desert on a horse with no
name.

13. Definite Article

Common ELLs mistakes:
− Overuse

Wrong: I like the football.

Correct: I like football.
This happens when speakers want to refer to the whole category
of something.

Wrong: The love is my vice.

Correct: Love is my vice.
In English Language we should not use article before abstract
nouns.

14. Zero Article

It is the abscence of an article.
− [ ] Kindness is a virtue.

15. Zero Article

What is important to know:
− There are a few situations that we do not use
any article in English. In some languages the
lack of article means that the noun is definite;
− In some cases the definite article can be
omitted .

16. Zero Article

Its uses:
− Category or group in general

[ ]Brazilians are usually friendly.
− Before abstract nouns

I believe in [ ] faith.

17. Zero Article

Common ELLs mistakes:

ELLs tend to overuse articles, using them in
unecessary places. The rules are:
1. When you talk about a category or group in general,
use no article;
2. Use no article before abstract nouns such as feelings
or ideas.

18. Article

What Your Students Should Know:
1. Do not use a singular count noun without an article;
Wrong: list, elephant, huge house
Correct: A list, an elephant, the huge house
2. Do not use a with a noun that begins with a vowel sound;
Wrong: A honor
Correct: An honor

19. Article
What Your Students Should Know:
3. Do not use the with plural count nouns that refers to
the whole category;
Wrong: I like the Italians.
Correct: I like [ ] Italians.
4. Do not use the with abstract nouns or ideas.
Wrong: The justice is blind.
Correct: [ ] Justice is blind.