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Learneng
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« on: May 24, 2008, 06:53:22 AM » |
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I found these rules for when to use "A, An or The" and thought of sharing with you all:
* a = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with consonants
She has a dog.
I work in a factory.
* an = indefinite article (not a specific object, one of a number of the same objects) with vowels (a,e,i,o,u)
Can I have an apple?
She is an English teacher.
* the = definite article (a specific object that both the person speaking and the listener know)
The car over there is fast.
The teacher is very good, isn't he?
* The first time you speak of something use "a or an", the next time you repeat that object use "the".
I live in a house. The house is quite old and has four bedrooms.
I ate in a Chinese restaurant. The restaurant was very good.
* DO NOT use an article with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
* Use an article with bodies of water, oceans and seas
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean
* DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about things in general
I like Russian tea.
She likes reading books.
* DO NOT use an article when you are speaking about meals, places, and transport
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.
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