Articles-Rules & Application
Change the bracketed singular nouns to plural nouns, and vice versa. Articles may need to be changed.
[Children] get more colds than [adults].
The child gets more colds than the adult.
Sidenote: remember that there is no need to add multiple articles if there is "and".
How do you introduce a common noun when first mentioned?
Use a/an, or use no article to introduce a common noun when first mentioned.
Fill in the Blanks
She braced herself for the incoming [ ], but was still buffetted by a barrage of blows
onslaught
Fill in the Blanks
The [ ] slaves looked grimy and entirely desolute
Downtrodden
Change the bracketed definite articles to indefinite articles and vice versa. Change pronouns and verbs accordingly.
Take [the] sheet of paper and [the] pen.
Take a sheet of paper and a pen.
What do "a" and "an" express in quantity?
What do "some" and "any" represent in quantity?
"A" or "an" represent the quantity "one".
"Some" or "any" represents a small quantity.
Guess the word!
i_ _ _ _ o _ _ _ _ a _ e
insubordinate
Guess the word!
a _ c _ _ e _ _ _ _
accelerate
What is the basic rule for indefinite articles?
Tip: Singular count noun......Plural count noun......Noncount noun......Consonants......Vowels.....
For singular count nouns, use "a" for nouns beginning with a consonant and "an" for nouns beginning with a vowel.
For plural and noncount nouns, we do not add indefinite articles. "Some" and "any" stand in their place.
Anna: I recieved a gorgeous dress for a Christmas present.
Aubergine: I know, I've seen it! Shall we go shopping for a handbag to match tomorrow?
Anna: Ooh, I would love to!
Does Anna have a specific dress in mind? Does Aubergine? Does Anna have a specific handbag in mind? Does Aubergine?
Yes; yes; no; no
Find a synonym for digress
swerve
Find a synonym for solicit
Canvass
What are some special cases in which the rule for consonants and vowels while using indefinite articles do not apply?
Tip: Think about sound anomalies
For words beginning with "h": use "an" if the "h" is not pronounced; use "a" if it is pronounced.
For words beginning with "u": use "an" if the "u" is short vowel; use "a" if it is pronouced with a "y" sound
Dave: Another mug of mead!
Jorah: Urgh no, I'm completely tipsy at the moment.
Dave: Humph. At least have the other tankard of ale, and you are not leaving this table without drinking another bottle of gin!
How many mugs of mead are there? Tankards of ale? Bottles of gin? (Include the mentioned mugs, tankards, and bottles)
An indefinte amount; only two in total; an indefinite amount
What can describe the act of only making stolid investments?
prudent
What can describe the posture of a queen?
Regal
Describe the rule for using definite articles
The definite article "the" can be used before all common nouns
They can occur before a combination of adjective+noun, or just a noun
They do not have to be repeated when nouns are combined with the conjunction "and"
Betsy: Run to the store and buy another spool of thread; the blue type has run out and there is no replacing that color.
Jane: Can I stop by a candy store and buy some chocolates?
Betsy: No you may not. Goodness knows you eat a horrendous amount of sweets already; the dentist's practice must have gotten a fortune for replacing your rotted tooth!
Is the store familiar to Betsy? The candy shop? The dentist's practice?
Yes; No; Yes
What do you use to open a door?
nub
What is a state that is induced when you lose an important competition?
melancholy