Articles –
The indefinite article – a/an
We use (a/an) with a singular countable noun when the listener doesn't know which particular thing is being referred to, or it doesn't matter which one. This is because:
It is one of many of the same class
e.g. a job, an apple.
We mention a person or thing for the first time:
I'm reading a really good article.
Note: We use the indefinite article (an) only with nouns that begin with a vowel.
Examples:
1. I saw a dog running in the park.
2. She bought an apple from the market.
3. There is a book on the table.
4. He needs an umbrella because it's raining.
5. They're looking for a job in the city.
The definite article – The
We use the ( with any noun ) when it is known which particular item is being referred to . This is because the thing / person :
1. The :
A .was mentioned before
I’m reading a really good article .The article talks about –
B .is unique
Half of the population live in the capital .
C .is defined specifically by the words that follow :
My grandmother is still the head of the family .
We also use ( the ) with:
*superlatives
The largest city in Jordan is ..
*comparative ( when identifying one of a pair )
I have two sisters . The older sister lives in Egypt.
*ordinal numbers
The first time I went there in 2018 .
*decades , centuries
in the 1950s , in the 18th century .
Zero article – 0
*We use no article with plural and uncountable nouns when we make General statements .
Life was very hard and over one million people emigrated .
*We use no article with words like prison , hospital , school , college, etc . When we are talking about their purpose as an institution
e.g I go to school every day .
He’s been in hospital for two weeks now.
*We also use zero article with most place names . ( exceptions : the USA, the UK , the UAE , the Hague )
- Examples:
1. Dogs are loyal animals.
2. I love coffee in the morning.
3. Happiness is the key to a good life.
4. Cars are becoming more expensive these days.
5. She enjoys playing piano in her free time.
PASSIVE HOUSES
Traditional houses need a lot of energy to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Old houses are also often inefficient. For example, in the winter, a lot of the heat inside a house is lost through windows, doors and even the walls.
For that reason, people often want to live in a passive house. A designer first invented passive houses in Germany and they are popular in Europe. They use solar energy from the sun for hot water, and even treat waste water so that it can be used again. A passive house also has very good windows and wall insulation, which means that heat does not leave the house: materials keep the house warm, just as a jumper can keep you warm in the winter. A special device also takes old, wet air from the house and replaces it with fresh air. For this reason, passive houses are the best way to save on energy bills and to live a comfortably warm house all year.
However, because passive house technology is quite new, they are expensive and are usually bought only by the rich.
3) Complete the rules 1–10 with a/an, the or no article (ø). Use the underlined examples in the article to help. There is one extra sentence. (S. B. page 7)
1. We use ……………with the names of people, places and most countries.
2. We use …………… with singular countable nouns.
3. We use ………….. with uncountable nouns.
4. We usually …………….use with seasons.
5. We use …………….with names of mountain ranges, oceans and rivers.
6. We use …………..before superlative adjectives.
7. We use ……………with regions in the world.
8. We use …………for something we have mentioned before.
9. We use …………….with groups of people.
10. We use …………..with specific jobs.
Answers
1.Ø 2. a/an 3.Ø 4. the 5. the
6. the 7. Ø 8. the 9. the 10. a/an
4) Complete the article with a, the or no article (ø). In pairs, explain your choices. (S. B. page 7)
Leaving home comforts to enjoy nature
At the age of 16, Zaid Alkhayyat decided to give up his home comforts and live alone in 1………….. tent. At the time, he was 2…………..youngest student doing a two-year course at the School of Adventure Studies on the Isle of Skye in 3……….. Scotland. 4………….. tent was in a remote part of 5……………. island and almost impossible to find without 6 detailed directions. Every morning, he would get up at 6………… a.m., wash in 7…………….. river, light 8 …………… re and drink 9……… cup of tea before going to 10……………. college. While studying at the Adventure School, he also gave 11 ……………..lessons to 12………… conservation experts about how to survive in 13………….. wild.
Answers
1. a 2. the 3.Ø 4. The 5. the 6.Ø 7. the
8. a 9. a 10. Ø 11.Ø 12. Ø 13. the
5) Write sentences, adding a/an or the where necessary. (S. B. page 7)
1. I / live / in / flat / near / city centre / in /Amman
2. I / have / dream / of climbing /Jabal Umm ad Dami
3. I / prefer / mountains / to / sea
4. I / once / went / to / hospital / for /operation
5. I live near / River Thames / which flows through / London
Answers
1. I live in a flat near the city centre in Amman.
2. I have a dream of climbing Jabal Umm ad Dami.
3. I prefer (the) mountains to the sea.
4. I once went to hospital for an operation.
5. I live near the River Thames which flows through London.