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How to Use Articles Correctly in English

Using a/ an:

before singular countable nouns when we don’t know which specific one

• he drives a nice car

with professions and roles

• she is a teacher

to give definitions

• aspiration is a strong desire or hope to achieve something

in measurements

• you were driving 100 miles an hour

when describing a particular instance of something that is usually considered unique

• She has a bright future

• Germany has a continental climate/ she has a bright future

Using the:

when both speaker and listener know which particular thing we are talking about

• the football team that he supports

when we have mentioned the noun before

• the restaurant is in East London

with adjectives to talk about a category

• the rich/ the poor/ the elderly/ the unemployed

to talk about things we consider to be unique (there’s only one)

• the sun, the Earth, the environment, the climate, the sky, the future, the best player

with types of geographical area

• the forest, the seaside, the countryside, the mountains

with rivers, seas, oceans, deserts, mountain ranges

• the Thames, the Red Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Sahara Desert, the Alps

with north/ south/ east/ west

• his house is in the north of London

No article:

with uncountable or plural nouns used to talk generally about something

• (-) Energy is fundamental to (-) economic development

• (-) Trains are more environmentally friendly than cars

with names of people, companies, or places

• (-) John Richardson/ (-) Microsoft/ (-) London

to refer to a hospital, school or university when someone is a patient, pupil or student

• he is at school, my grandfather is in hospital, she is at university

Exercise 1:

Choose the most appropriate article for each sentence (a/ the/ (-)

1. he works as ___ programmer

2. she plays ___ piano

3. he loves long walks on ___ beach

4. he lives in ___ Tokyo

5. he has had ___ difficult past

6. this morning, there is ___ bright blue sky

7. in ___ future, I would like to be self-employed

8. ___ human race has existed for hundreds of thousands of years

9. ___ climate is warming up

10. he lives in ___ countryside

11. Britain has ___ temperate climate

12. ___ smartphone has increased productivity considerably

13. ___ computers play an important role in modern business

14. Where is ___ wine we drank from?

15. Do you ever give money to ___ poor?

16. She drinks 2 litres of water ___ day

17. The cathedral is to ___ north of the castle

18. He sailed down ___ Amazon River

19. My daughter finishes classes at ___ school at 4pm

Exercise 2:

Add the missing articles, a/ the, in this letter:

Dear Martha,

How have you been? I was thrilled to receive your letter and to find out that you’ll be visiting my country in near future. How exciting!

You asked about what clothes are appropriate for this time of year. Well, I’ve been thinking about it and have come up with few tips. Firstly, it’s going to be winter when you arrive so it’s important to bring some high quality waterproof boots. There’s often snow and slush on ground during winter months so these will help keep your feet warm and dry. Secondly, make sure you bring scarf. Scarf is especially important as it will keep your neck warm, which really helps to feel comfortable in low temperatures.

While you’re here, would you like to meet up? I thought that we could go for walk in countryside and stop for lunch at wonderful old pub that I know which has excellent food. I know you’re fan of tasty beer so you’re bound to enjoy locally brewed ales there too.

I really hope you’ll be able to visit me while you’re here.

Take care and write back soon,

Helen

Exercise 3:

Choose the correct articles. a/ the/ (-), for this essay:

The issue of whether ____ governments should invest more in trains or roads is ____ complex and multifaceted one, with compelling arguments on both sides. In this essay, I will explore ____ benefits and drawbacks of each option, and argue that ____ balanced approach that takes into account the needs of different communities and regions is ____ most effective way forward.

On the one hand, those who advocate for greater investment in ____ trains argue that this mode of transportation has ____ number of advantages. Firstly, trains are generally more energy efficient than cars and other forms of road transport, meaning that they can help reduce ____ greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. Additionally, trains are often faster and more reliable than cars in congested urban areas, which can help reduce travel times and increase ____ productivity. Finally, investing in trains can help promote regional development and ____ economic growth by linking remote or underdeveloped areas with major population centres and markets.

On the other hand, proponents of road improvements argue that this option is ____ more practical and cost-effective. For one, many countries and regions have already developed extensive road networks, making it easier and cheaper to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure rather than build new train lines. Additionally, roads are more flexible and adaptable than trains, as they can be used by ____ wide range of vehicles and can be built to meet the needs of specific regions and industries. Finally, some argue that investing in roads can help reduce congestion and improve safety by widening or improving existing roads, installing traffic lights and other signalling systems, and developing other smart technologies.

In my view, both trains and roads have their place in ____ modern transportation system, and the choice between them depends on ____ variety of factors, including geography, population density, and economic conditions. For example, in densely populated urban areas, trains may be ____ better option for reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality, while in ____ rural areas with dispersed populations, improved road networks may be ____ more practical and cost-effective.

In conclusion, ____ issue of whether governments should invest more in trains or roads is ____ complex and nuanced one, with ____ valid arguments on both sides. While I believe that a balanced approach is needed that takes into account ____ needs of different communities and regions, I lean towards ____ view that greater investment in trains can have significant benefits in terms of ____ environmental sustainability, economic development, and urban mobility.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the speed limits in your country are appropriate?

2. If you could retrain in another profession, what would it be?

3. Do you think there are any groups in society that need more support from the government?

4. Do you think today’s children have a bright future?

5. Are you worried about climate change?

6. Where do you like to spend holidays?

7. What is the most important invention of the last 100 years?

8. What are the major geographical features of your country? (Mountains, rivers, lakes etc.)

9. What are the differences between the north and the south regions of your country?