ENGLISH I IT-10

 Articles are classified into two categories: indefinite and definite.

The indefinite article a/an is used in general nouns and noun that have not been specified. A/an is used with singular count nouns. *Generally, unspecific plural nouns do not need to have an article (Ø).

	Examples	Important notes
a/an	There is an aquarium in Central Park.     This is a beautiful house.	Use a/an when you mention something for the first time.   Use a/an to talk about one of a group of things.
(Ø)	There are skyscrapers* in the downtown area.   How many hotels are there in San José?	Don’t use a/an before plural nouns.

 

*Vocabulary:

Skyscrapers: rascacielos.

 

The definite article, the, is used with both count and noncount nouns. It shows that the nouns are specific, special or unique.

	Examples	Important notes
The	My town has an aquarium. The aquarium is located in Central Park.   The oldest building in my town is the church.   Do you want to take the train or the bus?   We’re going to the mall this weekend.	The is used when an indefinite noun becomes definite as a result of being mentioned a second time.   The is used to talk about something specific.   The is used when the speaker and the listener both know the thing or person being spoken of.
(Ø)	Parks are an important part of any city.	Don’t use the with plural nouns when you are talking about things in general.

 

Vocabulary:

Something: algo.

Speaker: hablante.

Listener: oyente.

Both: ambos (as).

 

Using the with names. There are many different rules of the with names. Here are a few.

	Examples	Important notes
People	the president of Costa Rica the queen of England   President Kennedy Queen Elizabeth	Use the with titles     Don’t use the with titles + names of specific people.
Places	Japan Spain Argentina Costa Rica	Don’t use the with names of streets, states, provinces, and most countries. There are some exceptions, for example: the United States, the Netherlands.
Buildings	the Eiffel Tower the Statue of Liberty	The is usually used with names of buildings.
Historical Events	the French Revolution the Fall of the Berlin Wall	The is usually used with names of historical events.

 

Vocabulary:

Queen: reina.

Title: título diplomático.

Buildings: edificios.

Articles - a / an / the - exercises (agendaweb.org) (click on this exercise)