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Unit 6: Articles | Grammar | B1

Match the following definitions with the examples of usage:

1. We use the indefinite article 'a/an' for jobs and professions.

2. The indefinite article is used in phrases that state prices, weights and frequencies.

3. The indefinite article is used when we talk about things in general.

4. We use the indefinite article to introduce a person or thing for the first time in a narrative text or conversation.

5. We use 'a/an' with singular countable nouns.

a. A telephone is useful, especially in an emergency.

b. Suddenly, I saw a car coming up the hill.

c. I've got a son and a daughter.

d. He's training to be a lawyer.

e. 25p a pound 20 miles an hour half a dozen

Now match these in the same way:

1. We use no article/zero article in front of plural countable nouns, when we talk about things in general.

2. As a rule, no article is used to refer to diseases and illnesses.

3. Usually, no article is used in front of names, titles or places.

4. No article is used for places like 'school' when we mean what goes on there or the function of the building, rather than the building itself.

BUT : I have a cold. He's got a headache.

a. She was suffering from malaria.
He's got backache.
Don't catch cold.

b. Cats make good pets.
Ferraris are expensive cars.

c. She's in hospital having an operation. The judge sent him to prison for five years.

d. John works for Mr Jackson.
Paris is in France.

EXERCISE 3

Now match these rules for using the definite article with the example sentences:

1. We use the definite article 'the' when there is only one of something.

2. We use the definite article for certain places, when we are not talking specifically about the name of the place.

3. We use the definite article for certain nouns, like 'prison', when we mean the building itself.

4. We use the definite article with the names of seas, mountains, etc.

5. We use the definite article when we refer to certain groups of people in society.

a. I went to the cinema last week.
He likes to sit by the sea.

b. The Atlantic Ocean
The River Thames
The Alps

c. The hospital is in Barrack Street.
The church roof needs repairing.

d. Madrid is the capital city of Spain.
He is the tallest man in the world.
She's the only one who doesn't know the answer.

e. The rich, the poor, the lonely, the homeless.