1. Articles
Students:
Cristina Goveia
Andrea Motoyama

2. Use A / an ...
Indefinite Articles: a / an
Rule Example
1. Only before singular count nouns.
A penguin is a small black and white
bird.
2. Before singular count nouns that
An igloo is a dwelling that is made
are not specific and are being
of ice.
mentioned for the first time.

3. Use A / an ...
Indefinite Articles: a / an
Rule Examples
1. Use a before a noun or an a tree, a beautiful tree.
adjective (+ noun) that begins with a
consonant sound.
2. Use an before a noun or an an afternoon, an excellent
adjective (+ noun) that begins with a afternoon.
vowel sound.
3. Attention to words beginning with Beginning with a consonant sound:
the letters h or u, as the use of a and a hat, a university.
an will depend on the beggining Beginning with a vowel sound: an
sound of the word. hour, an umbrella.

4. Use The...
Definite Article: the
Rule Examples
1. When you are talking about The apple on the table is not mine.
something specific.
2. When the speaker and the listener John, don’t forget to close the door!
are talking about the same specific
item.
3. For the second and all other James and I bought a new computer
references to the same noun. last month. The computer let us
access the Internet really quickly.
4. With the superlative form of an In a jewelry store, diamonds are the
adjective. most expensive item.

5. Use The...
Definite Article: the
Rule Examples
5. For the names of countries that the united states, the Netherlands,
look plural, including countries that the Republic of Angola, the United
end in –s or have the words united, Kingdom.
union, republic, or kingdom.
6. For the parts of something. I went to Mary’s new flat last night. It
(Exception: body parts). is beautiful. The kitchen is modern,
the bedrooms are confortable, the
garden is brite.
7. With most bodies of water except the Mississipi Riber, the Pacific
individual lakes. Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the
Great Lakes.
8. With geographical parts of the the equator, the Middle East, the
globe and geographic areas, Gobi Desert, the South
deserts, and peninsulas.

6. No Article...
No Article
Rule Examples
1. When you want to talk about a Cats can be great pets.
category or group in general.
2. Before abstract nouns such as A person’s future success depends
feelings or ideas. on education.
Patience is a virtue.