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| Articles are important because they provide information on a subject. |
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There are three types of articles: |
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Indefinite article |
| (b) |
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Definite article |
| (c) |
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Zero article |
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- There are two articles in this category: 'a' and 'an'.
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| Article 'a' is used before a countable noun that starts with a consonant sound. |
Article 'an' is used before a countable noun that starts with a vowel sound (any of these sounds: a,e,i,o, or u). |
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Examples:
(a) a roller coaster
(b) a ghost house
(c) a useful tool
(d) a university
Note: University is read as 'Yew-ni-ver-si-ty', thus it starts with a 'yew' sound not a 'u' sound.
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Examples:
(a) an elephant
(b) an unforgettable experience
(c) an orange
(d) an hour
Note: Even though 'hour' starts with the letter 'h', which is a consonant, the word is read as A-WER. The 'h' sound is not pronounced.)
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| The definite article 'the' is used to refer to: |
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Examples |
| (a) A particular item that can be in the singular or plural form. |
- The purse I lost was a present from my dad. (singular noun)
- The cows in the field belong to Encik Dollah. (plural noun)
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| (b) Something which is one of a kind. |
- The earth orbits the sun at an average distance of 149.60 million km.
- The moon is the earth's only natural satellite.
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| (c) Specific places such as buildings, seas, oceans, and rivers. |
- The Magic Funfair was in town once more.
- The Red Sea is the saltiest ocean in the world.
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| (d) Also used when the subject is mentioned for the second time. |
- Amy bought a new purse. The purse is the latest edition.
- My family and I went to a funfair. The funfair was so fun.
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| Do not use any article when you refer to a plural object in general. |
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| Countable Nouns |
Is zero article possible? |
Which article to use? |
| YES |
THE |
| tiger |
Lions are wild animals.
(Meaning: all lions)
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The lions are fed twice a day.
(Specific lions)
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| flower |
Brightly coloured flowers attract butterflies.
(Meaning: all flowers with bright colours attract butterflies)
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The flowers in the vase are not real.
(Specific flowers)
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How articles are used in the text? |
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The Magic Funfair was in town once more. There was a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, an elephant ride, a ghost house, and many game counters. People of all ages were there. A group of girls tumbled out of the ghost house. They must have had the fright of their lives, but nevertheless, an unforgettable experience. The Ferris wheel was a favourite among the elderly and very young children. Teenagers and young adults went on the roller coaster. The most popular, though, was the elephant ride. The elephant was a new member of the Magic Funfair. The game counters offered prizes like stuffed toys, photo frames, and electrical items. Most people left the funfair with a gift or two, wide smiles and cotton candy. |
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