Articles

Articles

A/An - The - Zero Article

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​ -In English there are three articles: a, an, and the.

-Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents.

-They are a type of adjective.

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​Indefinite Articles: A/An

• ​A/an are indefinite articles.

• Their meanings are the same.

• ​We do not use them before plural nouns. 

• ​Wrong: My mother has got a children.

• ​Correct: My mother has got a child. 

• So we use a/an before singular and countable names.

• ​Countable means "sayılabilir" in Turkish. 

• ​So we cannot say "I want a milk" too. But that's the subject for another day.

​​Examples:

• ​I have got a bag.

• ​My brother is a selfish person.

• ​I haven't got a child.

• ​Her uncle in an engineer.

• ​They have got a class tomorrow.

​When do we use a/an;

• ​When we mention about something for the first time.

• Examples;

• I see a cat every morning.

• There is an animal in the classroom.

​When we talk about jobs.

• ​Examples;

• ​My mother is a housewife.

• ​Ayşe's brother is a doctor.

• ​Their father is an engineer.

• ​I am a photographer.

When we describe something.

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• ​Paris is a city for lovers.

• ​What a beautiful day!

• ​Such a lonely day, and it's mine.

• ​It's an interesting book.

• ​This is a hilarious movie.

​Definite Article: The

• ​We use the before singular or plural nouns. ​

• The pencils are beautiful.

• ​The pencil is beautiful.

​When do we use the;

• ​When we mention about something for the second time.

• ​I have got a bag. The bag is beautiful.

• ​When we refer to specific things or when the thing is both known to speaker and listener.

• ​It'a not a normal album, it's THE album. 

Before moon, sun and earth.

• ​The sun rises in the east.

• ​The moon is beautiful.

• ​We live in the earth.

​Before common places;

• ​We met in the park.

• ​They are in the hospital right now.

​Before musical instruments;

• ​I play the guitar all the time.

• ​Victor loves playing the piano.

​ZERO ARTICLE / NO ARTICLE

• ​We do not use any articles in some specific occassions.

• ​When we refer to general meaning of something.

• ​She doesn't like video games.

• ​I like children.

• ​Jennifer loves toys.

​Before meals

• ​I love breakfast.

• ​Everybody eats dinner when they get home.

​Before years, months and days

• ​September is my favourite month.

• ​2020 is the worst year.

• ​Friday is the best day.

​Before languages and school subject,

• ​I hate maths.

• ​English is an easy language to learn, unlike French.