Grammar- Topic: Article ( A, An, The, Zero) Rules and Practice Questions

Grammar-  Topic: Article ( A, An, The, Zero) Rules and Practice Questions

An Article
q It is an adjective.
q  It modifies a noun.
q  It is a separate part of speech.
q  It is one of the ‘Determiners’.

 

 

Types of Article
1. Definite Article: The   (the book)
2. Indefinite Article: a/an   A book/an eye
3.Zero Article:  x  Nepal

 

Use of Article: The

 -to refer any particular person, place or thing.

 

Rule No.- 1

Before: only, first, superlative expression

Ø Julee is the only person I like at work.

Ø Pokhara is the first place where I would like to visit.

Ø Robert is the best football player in the nation.

 

Rule No.- 2.

Before:  the name of countries which includes a noun & to refer different nationalities.

Ø Have you ever visited the Czech Republic?

Ø Rubina has been living in the United States for five years.

Ø People think the Nepalese are very brave.

Ø Are the Mexican men interested in social service?

Ø Some other countries: The Netherlands, The Philippines, The United Kingdom, The Dominican Republic etc.

Rule No.- 3

v Before: name of rivers, oceans, seas, the parts of the world, Deserts, forests etc.

      the Red Sea

      the globe

      the equator

      the Bagmati

      the Atlantic ocean

      the Sahara Desert

      the Mandai forest, etc

 

Use of Article : A/An

 -to refer something for the first time.

    

  Rule No.- 4

•      Before: a word/a countable noun beginning with a consonant sound- Use ‘a’

Ø A boy, a man, a table

•      Vowel letter but consonant sound:

Ø a university, a European, a union, a uniform

Ø a one rupee note, a one eyed man, a one dollar note, a one legged man

 Rule No.- 5

    •      Before: a word beginning with a vowel sound- Use ‘an’

              an egg, an ink-pot, an orphan, an umbrella
    •      Abbreviation with consonant letter but vowel sound:
    •      an HOD, an MA, an ST,  an MLA,  an M.Sc., an MBBS, an M.Com, an M. Phil etc
    •      Consonant letter but vowel sound:
             an honest man, an hour, an heir,

 

   Rule No.- 6

•      To refer something unspecific and to classify things ( including people and their jobs). -a/an
     How often do you use a computer?
     Have you heard that Jesika bought a car?
     She has a purple dress, her boyfriend gave it to her on her birthday.
     Ruhi is a staff nurse.
     Rabbit is an animal.
 

Rule No.- 7

•      To mean one of many & to mean the sense of ‘every’ –a/an

Ø I met a friend.

Ø I read a novel.

Ø 10000 a month( means every month)

Ø 20  rupees a dozen.

Ø 50 rupees a kilo.

Ø 60 km a hour.

 

Rule No.- 8

•      Before: an exclamatory sentence  with an adjective.  -a/an

Ø What a beautiful flower!

Ø What a pretty girl!

Ø What a hot day!

Ø  What an idea Guru ji!

 

 Rule No.- 9

•      Before: certain words- use ‘a’ & a non-specific noun

Ø A couple, a dozen, a quarter, a thousand, a million, a lot of , a great deal of

Ø The children are playing a game outdoors.

Ø The artist is painting a picture.

 

Use of  Article: Zero Article

Rule No.- 10

•      Before: plural countable nouns/ uncountable nouns/ proper nouns/abstract nouns

Ø I don’t like vultures.

Ø I love beer.

Ø Jenny lives in Nepal.

Ø Love is emotional.

•      Before: names of Mountains except The Andes or The Rockies –like Mt. Everest,

Questions for Practice

•       Choose the correct (and most natural-sounding) response to complete each sentence:

1.  1. They usually spend their holidays in… mountains.(the/no article/a)
2.  2. Pokhara has … ideal climate.(no article/an/the)
3.  3. This is … best Chinese restaurant in the country. (no article/a/the)
4.  4. I can't live on …500 dollars a month.(the/no article/a)
5.  5. Someone call …policeman! (a/the/no article)
6.  6. Someone call …police! (no article/the/a)
7.  7. He is … real American hero.(no article/the/a)
8.  8. I don't like …dogs, but I like my brother's dog.(a/no article/the)
9.  9. I haven't seen him in …five years.(no article/the/a)
10.  0. Jaqline is … basketball player.(the/a/no article)

                                     

Quiz: Articles

1.     …. apple a day keeps the doctor away. (an/the/a)

2.     Mount Everest is in … Himalayas.(a/the/no article)

3.     … president of the United States was elected last year. (the/a/no article)

4.     We spent a lot of time swimming in … sea on holiday. (the/a/no article)

5.     London is on … River Thames.( a/the/no article)

6.     She did … MA in English literature. (a/an/ no article)

7.     My grandson looking lovely now that … daffodils are in flower. (no article/a/the)

8.     It’s … most expensive restaurant in the town. (a/the/no article)

9.     … Mount Everest is in the Himalayas. (a/the/no article)

10.   My  mother is allergic to … cigarette smoke. (the/a/no article)

11.   An atheist  does not believe in … God.( a/the/no article)

12.    He never listens to … classical music. (a/no article/the)

13.    You can pay that bill at … bank. (the/no article/ an)

14.   My flat is on … second floor. (the/a/an)

15.    It was … excellent meal last night.(the/an/no article)

16. We usually have … dinner at nine.(a/the/no article)

17.   I am against … capital punishment. (a/ no article/the)

18.  Could you turn off … light when you leave. (a/no article/the)

19.   His birthday is on … fifth of July. (a/the/no article)

20.  … roses are my favourite flowers. (no article/a/ no article)

                                                               

 

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