The Definite Article: Some countries e.g. The UK, the USA, a specific example e.g. The research by Dr Smith, with superlatives (the best), before time periods (the 21st century), unique things, the one and only (the world), specific things ( the Russian revolution), Names of journals (The New Scientist), Rivers and regions ( the Han river), very well known thing and people ( the Queen), institutions (the University of Wales), currencies (the yuan), positions ( in the middle, at the top), The Indefinite Article: Something is mentioned for the first time. E.g. A study by Dr Smith, Use "an" before vowels ( a e i o u) and silent 'h' e.g. an hour, One of many possibilities (A reason for this could be...), One of many (a bestselling book/ an opportunity)), One of a group (France is a member of the EU), One of a select group ( a major stakeholder), Not the only one (a survivor), Not the whole thing/idea (a portion of / an element of surprise), part of something else (an employee), No article: A general concept e.g. Research is important., Things in general, Names of most countries (China, Japan), Abstract nouns ( Poverty), Companies (Nike), places (Swansea), Things named after people ( Macdonald's),

DEFINITE AND INDEFINITE ARTICLES

Print
Embed

Leaderboard

Visual style

Options

Switch template

Continue editing: ?