articles Indefinite article a an

articles

Indefinite article: a / an • A European country [ j ] • An hour [ au ] and a half [ h ] • Abbreviations: An MP; a NATO general 1. = one of many others of the same type -> she was a beautiful bride 2. = some -> Suddenly, a man appeared out of the blue 3. = any (it doesn’t matter, what exactly) -> a person can always be happy Definite article: the [ðə] – the CEO of the company [ðɪ] – the air 1. = “тот же (самый)” 2. = you can guess what exact object I’m talking about: -> Sue, it’s the book I told you about -> Ted, where is the dictionary I lent you last week?

• A car is being evacuated outside. • The car is being evacuated outside! Articles always provoke a certain reaction of your interlocutor

Derivation • a / an one Consequently, a/an is used with: - Countable nouns in singular form a/an is not used with: - Uncountable nouns - Countable nouns in plural form • The this/that, these/those Consequently, the is used with: - Countable nouns in singular and plural forms - Uncountable nouns

WE USE ARTICLES FOR OUR INTERLOCUTORS, NOT FOR US! + MIND THE CONTEXT! Today I spent the entire morning in my apartment. I have been a reading _______ newspaper in _____ living-room. At noon I locked the ______ flat, went outside, caught _______ taxi and went to visit my a friend. We spent hours driving around _____ city trying to avoid the _______ traffic jams.

What article will you use for your interlocutor? the • Moscow is _____ capital of our country the • Tom, where are you? – I’m in ______ kitchen the • What is ______ lightest star? – ______ Sun is. 1. We use the definite article with unique objects within the given context

1. 1. In the same way we usually use the following words: • The post office, the train station, the airport, the cinema, theatre, the army, the police… • The doctor, the dentist • the bank (in this case) = a special institution or place in a particular city where we need to do smth • I have to see the dentist • First, I’ll go to the post office to send a letter and then I’ll meet you at the train station 1. 2. NB! • She works in a bank. (not a special institution where we need to do smth, but a place of work, one of many other banks with similar features) • My sister is a dentist. (it’s her profession, not a person I need to see to solve my personal health problems)

1. 3. Places in town: • THE: • The bank, the post office, theatre, the cinema, the market, the train station, the airport • BUT:

• School, university, church, hospital, prison

We use the definite article with unique objects: • The sun, the moon, the Universe, the Earth… • The weather, the wind, the climate, the atmosphere, the sky, the sea, the mountains… • The future, the past, the human race… • 1. 4. NB! • When we mean a certain state or aspect of the sun, we use the indefinite article: • A pearl-white moon smiles through the greet trees • She could hear the wind blowing in the street • There’s a cold wind blowing from the North

Correct mistakes if there any: 1. Sri Lanka has the wonderful climate 2. The organization’s aim is to educate the public about the dangers of smoking 3. We need an environment free from pollution 4. The wind is blowing dust all the way from Africa 5. We can look forward to a warm southern wind this weekend 6. How can we respect an environment?