I don't have a specific one in mind. For example:. Another case where this rule applies is when acronyms or initialisms start with consonant letters but have vowel sounds:. If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:. Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group:.
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group.
Even if we don't know the policeman's name, it's still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo. The can be used with noncount nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely.
When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.
For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book. Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. See This expression quantifies how much time.
Vacations Vacations. The word is very specific and defined: the vacations my family took, not just any vacation. It is the first time the word is mentioned. It is not clear or defined. Memories Memories. In this sentence the word is used to talk about memories in general. Not one, clear specific memory. Same as number Coolers Coolers.
Sandwiches Sandwiches. Sandwiches are general, not one specific kind of sandwich. No article. Sound Sound. The sound is defined — it is the sound of the river, not just any possible sound. A little sad A little sad. City City. Day trip Day trip. This is the first mention of a day trip. Photos Photos. Here the speaker is referring to all photos, not just one and not a specific photo from the day.
Evening Evening. The is used with expressions such as in the evening, in the morning, in the afternoon. Exception: at night. Family Family. Summer Summer. Generally no article is used with seasons, days of the week, months or holidays. Note: There are some exceptions to this rule. Gear Gear. Food Food. Food is general. Road Trip Road trip. This is the first time road trip is mentioned. It is new information.
And we can assume it is one of many road trips in this story, the person is talking about the memories of taking vacations as a child, not just one memory. River River.
Year Year. Home Home. For example: at home, at work, at church, to church, to jail, etc. Coast Coast. We can assume there is only one coast nearby. If there are many, then the speaker would need to define which coast. Sunset Sunset. Sunset is a unique noun. Campfire Campfire. Campfire is specific. It is the campfire at our campsite not just any campfire anywhere.
This sentence assumes it is clear to the listener or reader where this campfire is. Hour Hour. We are referring to one single hour. Kids Kids. Roof Roof. Stuff Stuff. Not just any stuff but the normal or usual stuff we take on vacation. Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains. Night Night. See rule 3. Staycation Staycation. This is the first mention. Museums Museums. A few hours A few hours. Beach Beach.
We know it is the beach from the day trip. Here is another travel story from last week but with some changes. Can you identify WHY you should use the article you chose? You can choose to write another travel story or you can talk about your day. Use the rules and examples from this lesson to help you with the articles. Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English Download my free training on how to build the courage and confidence you need to say what you want in English.
Get It Now. You'll also get my Confident English lessons delivered by email every Wednesday and occasional information about available courses. You can unsubscribe any time. Get Used To vs. Recommend vs. Not anymore. Strategies to reclaim momentum and stay motivated to reach your English confidence and fluency goals. Plus a FREE download to get you started. Describe your feelings in English, how to use the future forms, successful small talk at work, leading online meetings, and more… check out the Top 5 Lessons from I have such an amazing memory of the vacation I took last summer!
I went with my family in Florida for a whole week. We took two different flights and meet up at the Miami international airport. My brother rented a car so it would have been much easier to go around the state. For the first three days we planned to visit Florida Keys so as soon as we got the car we hit the road to Summerland Key, our first stop.
There we had lunch in a cool place near by the beach. After that we stopped at … Read more ».
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