article preposition

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LECTURE-15/ MODULE-2/ COMMUNICATIVE GRAMMER

LECTURE-15

ARTICLES AND PREPOSITION

Objective: To enable students to impart accuracy, effectiveness and clarity to the language and

to maintain grammatical accuracy.

15.2. Articles

Definition:

The words a, an, andthe form a special group of adjectives called articles. Articles have only one

function that they signal that a noun is coming.

Examples (Nouns are underlined.):Thebrightly colored birds are from Brazil.

An unwelcome guest arrived at theparty.

Themovie had a surprise ending.

Use a if the following word (the noun or adjective modifying the noun) begins with a consonant; use an

if the following word begins with a vowel. This rule allows the article and the next word to be spoken

together easily.

Types:

There are two types of articles: definite and indefinite.Definite article: Theis called a definite article because it precedes a noun which names a specific

member of a group. This type of noun is called a specific (definite) noun. Both the writer (and speaker)

and the reader (or listener) know the identity of this noun.

Examples:

Theorder for our office supplies was sent today.

Thesun provides energy to help plants make food.

Indefinite Article:Aand anare called indefinite articles because they refer to any member of a group,

rather than to a specific member of the group. Neither the writer nor the reader knows the identity ofthe member.

Examples:

The couple visited anew restaurant.

To split wood safely, anaxe must be sharpened often.

Basic Uses of the Definite Article The:


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1. Use the before singular or plural definite (specific) nouns.Their identity is already

known to the reader for one of the following reasons:

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a. The noun has already been mentioned.

b. The noun is followed by a phrase or clause which identifies the noun.

Example: A journalist interviewed theengineer who designed the plane.

c. A superlative adjective precedes the noun.

Example: John is the fastest runner on the team. (There can be only one fastest runner.)

Note: An adjective before a plural or non-count noun does not make the noun specific (definite). The noun is

specific because it is preceded by the.

d. The noun is unique; there is only one in existence.

Example: Thousands of tourists visit theStatue of Liberty yearly.

e. The context makes the nouns identity clear.

Example: My friends bought movie tickets at the box office.

2. Do not use thebefore

a. Plural nouns meaning all or in general:

Example: People look forward to vacations from their jobs.

b. Most singular proper nouns (See Special Rules for exceptions).

Example: Remember to call Maria in two hours.

Basic Uses of the Indefinite Article A/An:

1. Use a/anbefore singular nouns when the noun is general (indefinite, non-specific, one of many).

Examples:Asmall salmon rested on the stream bottom.

The traveler ordered an egg and toast for breakfast.

2. Use abefore the first mention of a singular noun.

3.In order to use a/an with noncount nouns you must include a quantifier (a little,

a great deal of) or a unit phrase (a piece of, a quart of) before the noun.

Examples: A littleencouragement can make a big difference.

The cook bought a large piece ofginger.

Use of Articles when an Adjective Precedes a Noun:

1. Do not use an article before an adjective which precedes a general non-count noun.

Example: He earned more money this year than last year. (No article is used before more.)

Exception to this rule: Do use thebefore an adjective preceding a non-count noun

if the noun is made specific (definite) by a following phrase or clause.

Example: Mike painted thehouse which he had recently purchased.

2. Use thebefore an adjective which describes a group of people but is not followed

by a noun. The adjective takes the place of the noun.


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Example: The nurse was trained to care for theelderly.

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Special Rules:

1. Places:

a. Namesof countr ies:Do not use theunless the name refers to a group or has the word of within the

name.

Examples: I traveled to China last summer.

The United States of America was established in 1776.

b. Cities and streets:Do not use articles before cities and streets.

Example: The shop is located at 3572 Travert Avenue in Seattle.

c. Rivers, oceans, seas, groups of mountains and islands:Use thebeforenouns naming these

geographical features.

Example: The Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled up theMissouri River.d. Schools:Use thewhen ofis part of the schools name. Otherwise, omit the article.

Examples: She plans to attend the University of Washington.

My two friends both received scholarships to Whitman College.

e. Location vs. Activity (for a few nouns):

1)When a noun naming a place is used in a phrase referring to an activity, no

article is needed before the noun.

Examples: to school: Most children ride the bus to school. Tochurch: The family goes to church

regularly.2) When the same noun is used simply to name the location, use either a definite or indefinite article as

usual.

Examples: The workers arrived to remodel theschool.

The new family visited achurch in their neighborhood.

2. Titles of People:

a. A title followed by a name: Do not use an article.

Example: On Monday, President Hosford will meet with his advisors.

b. A title without a name:Use the.Example: The committee members met with thepresident of thecompany.

3. Numbers:

a. Cardinal numbers:Do not use an article before cardinal numbers (number words that

name a quantity) when the number word functions as a noun.

Examples: The customer admired the artists paintings enough to buy one.


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He removed thirty of the fifty trees on his property. (In this sentence

thirty is a noun whereas fifty is an adjective modifying tree.)

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b. Ordinal numbers: Use thebefore ordinal numbers (number words such as first,

second, and third that indicate order in a sequence.

Examples: Thefifteenth page is missing. (Fifteenth functionsas an adjective.)

Mary was thethird to drop out of the race. (Fifteenth functions as a noun.)

4. Things shared by a family or community: Use thebefore these nouns.

Examples: Many homes have a microwave in thekitchen.

Citizens are invited to speak to thecity council about problems.

Themayor visited thelibrary.

5. Expressions that identify part of a larger group: Use thebefore the nouns in these expressions.

Examples: one of the (plural noun)One of thestudents was absent.Both of the (plural noun) Sheenjoyed both of theperformances.

Some of the (plural noun) The instructor returned some of theessays today.

Some of the (noncount noun) Some of thestolen money was recovered.

6. Second mention as a synonym: Use thebefore a noun used as a synonym for a word or words

that has already been mentioned.

Example: Please buy fruit, vegetables, meat, and milk; deliver thegroceries to your uncle.

15.3.Prepositions

Definition:Preposition is a word, which is used before a noun, a noun phrase or a pronoun, connecting it to

another word.

A preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the restof the sentence as in the following examples:

The book is onthe table.The book is beneaththe table.

The book is leaning againstthe table.The book is besidethe table.

She held the book overthe table.She read the book duringclass.

Kinds of PrepositionsSimple prepositions: Prepositions which consists only one word.

e.g. in, on, at, with, against etc..,

Compound prepositions: Prepositions which consists of two or more words.

e.g. instead of, in the middle of, by the side of etc..,


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Kinds of Prepositions

Prepositions of Place

Some prepositions show where something happens. They are called prepositions of place. Examples:-

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Sonny was sitting undera tree.

Theres a wooden floor underneaththe carpet.

Some geese flew over their house.

John and Sarah were hiding inside the wardrobe.

There was a tree besidethe river.

I have a friend who lives in America

Prepositions of Time

Some prepositions show when something happens. They are called prepositions of time.

Examples:-School startsatnine oclock.

Were going to the zoo onSaturday.

No, you cant watch a video. Itspastyour bedtime already.

I visited my grandparentsduringthe summer.

You must finish the work byFriday.

Ill do my homework before dinner.

Prepositions of Direction

Some prepositions show where something is going. They are called prepositions of direction. Examples:-

The boys chased aftereach other.

The football rolled downthe hill.

A man was walking his dog alongthe riverbank.

The freeway goes rightthrough the city.

We were travelling towardsMiami.

Prepositions with special usesUsage ofOF

Our modules are full of real life examples.

I ate a plate of rice and a quarter of milk.

Would you like a glass of lemon juice?


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I need three pieces of paper.

Most of the children in my class like Education.

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There are several ways of cooking Upma.

Usage of FORI made this bookmarkfor Mom.

Is there room forme on this seat?

Id like a new computer for Christmas.

Were going downtown fora meeting. I made this giftformy mother.

Is there place forme on this seat?

Id like a new Laptop forNext year..

Usage of WITHHe pounds nails with a hammer.

Mix the flour withwater.

Usage of EXCEPT AND INSTEAD OFI like all kinds of food exceptUpma.

Everyone likes chocolate except Tom.

You should eat fruitinstead of candy.

Dad is coming to the theater with us in stead of Mom.

Usage of LIKE, AS and THENKathleen looks l ikeher dad.

Andrew smiles l ikehis mother.

PrepositionsTime

English Usage Example

On

days of the week

on Monday

in

months / seasons

time of day

year

after a certain period of time

in August / in winter

in the morning

in 2006

in an hour

at at night

at the weekend


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for night

for weekend

a certain point of time

(when?)

at half past nine

since from a certain point of time

(past till now)

since 1980

for over a certain period of time

(past till now) for 2 years

ago a certain time in the past 2 years ago

Before earlier than a certain point of

time before 2004

to

telling the time

ten to six (5:50)

past telling the time ten past six (6:10)

to / till /

until marking the beginning and

end of a period of time from Monday to/till Friday

till / until in the sense of how long

something is going to last He is on holiday until Friday.

By

in the sense of at the latest up to a certain time

I will be back by 6 oclock.

By 11 o'clock, I had readfive pages.

PrepositionsPlace (Position and Direction)


in

room, building, street, town,

country

book, paper etc.

car, taxi

picture, world

in the kitchen, in London

in the book

in the car, in a taxi

in the picture, in the world

at

meaning next to, by an

object

for table

for events

place where you are to dosomething typical (watch a

at the door, at the station

at the table

at a concert, at the party

at the cinema, at school, at

work

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film, study, work)

on

attached

for a place with a river

being on a surface

for a certain side (left, right)

for a floor in a house for public transport

for television, radio

the picture on the wall

London lies on the Thames.

on the table

on the left

on the first floor on the bus, on a plane

on TV, on the radio

by, next to,

beside left or right of somebody or

something Jane is standing by / next

to / beside the car.

Under

on the ground, lower than

(or covered by) somethingelse

the bag is under the table

below lower than something else

but above ground the fish are below the

surface

over

covered by something else

meaning more than

getting to the other side

(also across)

overcoming an obstacle

put a jacket over your shirt

over 16 years of age

walk over the bridge

climb over the wall

above higher than something else,

but not directly over it

a path above the lake

across getting to the other side

(also over)

getting to the other side

walk across the bridge

swim across the lake

through something with limits on

top, bottom and the sides drive through the tunnel

to

movement to person or

building

movement to a place orcountry

for bed

go to the cinema

go to London / Ireland go to bed

into enter a room / a building go into the kitchen / the

house

towards movement in the direction

of something (but not

go 5 steps towards the house

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directly to it)

onto movement to the top of

something jump onto the table

from in the sense of where from a flower from the garden

Other important Prepositions


from who gave it a present from Jane

of who/what does it belong to

what does it show a page of the book

the picture of a palace

by

who made it

a book by Mark Twain

on

walking or riding onhorseback

entering a public transport

vehicle

on foot, on horseback

get on the bus

in entering a car / Taxi get in the car

off leaving a public transport

vehicle get off the train

out of leaving a car / Taxi get out of the taxi

by rise or fall of something

travelling (other than walking

or horse riding)

prices have risen by 10

percent

by car, by bus

at for age she learned Russian at 45

about for topics, meaning what

about

we were talking about you

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Article

Exercise[Set-1]

Fill in the article a, an or the where necessary. Choose x where no article is used.

1) I like_______ blue T-shirt over there better than_______ red one.

2) Their car does 150 miles _____hour.

3) Where's______ USB drive I lent you last week?

4) Do you still live in _______Bristol?

5) Is your mother working in______ old office building?

6) Carol's father works as______ electrician.

7) The tomatoes are 99 pence ________kilo.

8) What do you usually have for____ breakfast?

9) Ben has _______terrible headache.10) After this tour you have _______whole afternoon free to explorethe city.

Exercise[Set-2]

Decide whether to use the definite article the or not. If you do not need the article the, use

x.

1) My grandmother likes_____ flowers very much.

2) I love ____flowers in your garden.

3) See you on_____Wednesday.4) I always listen to______ radio in the morning.

5) Alex goes to work by_____ bus.

6) Don't be late for_____ school.

7) Listen! Dennis is playing _______trumpet.

8) We often see our cousins over_______ Easter.

9) She has never been to ______Alps before.

10) What about going to Australia in ______February?

Exercise-[Set-3]

Write the correct forms of the indefinite articles into the gaps.

1) There is____new English book on the desk.

2) She's reading___old comic.

3) They've got___idea.

4) He is drinking______cup of coffee.

5) The girl is_______pilot.

6) Leipzig has_____airport.


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7) This is____expensive bike.

8) Look! There's_____bird flying.

9) My father is_____honest person.

10) My friend likes to be____astronaut.Exercise-[Set-3]

Fill each blank with a', an', the' or leave it blank.

1. He left _____ home without informing anyone.

2. Do you need _____ degree in Economics or _____ degree in finance to be a better manager?

3. When we arrived, she went straight to _____ kitchen and started to prepare _____ meal for

us.

4. He has _____ cut on his leg and _____ bruise on _____ chin.

5. _____ Mt. Everest is _____ highest mountain in _____ world.

6. Switch off _____ air-conditioner please. I have _____ cold.

7. We reached _____ top of _____ hill during _____ afternoon.

8. Do you like _____ weather here? Isn't it too hot during _____ day but it is very cold at

_____ night?

9. Attempt has been made to collect _____ funds to start _____ public library in _____ town

where I live.

10.There is _____ box of sweets on _____ table.

Preposition

Exercise[Set-1]

Complete the exercise according to the above picture.[Preposition of place]

1.

_______the picture, I can see a woman.2. The woman is sitting_____ a table.

3. She is sitting________ a chair.

4. There is another chair _________the woman.5. Her feet are_______ the table

6. The woman is holding a cup ______her hands.

7. _______the table are a laptop, a paper, a calculator, an appointment calendar, two pens

and a muffin.8. The woman is looking ____her laptop.

9. The woman's bag is _______the table.


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Exercise[Set-2]

Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions.[Preposition of time]

1.

Peter is playing tennis________Sunday.2. My brother's birthday is_______the 5th of November.

3. My birthday is_________May.

4. We are going to see my parents_________the weekend.5. ________1666, a great fire broke out in London.

6. I don't like walking alone in the streets_______night.

7. What are you doing_______he afternoon?

8. My friend has been living in Canada_______two years.9. I have been waiting for you_______seven o'clock.

10.I will have finished this essay_________Friday.

Exercise [Set-3]

Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions. [Since and for]

1. I have been waiting _______4 o'clock.2. Sue has only been waiting _____20 minutes.

3. Tim and Tina have been learning English _____six years.

4. Fred and Frida have been learning French _______1998.

5. Joe and Josephine have been going out together _______Valentine's Day.6. I haven't been on holiday______ last July.

7. Mary has been saving her money______ many years.

8.

I haven't eaten anything _______breakfast.9. You have been watching TV ________hours.

10.We have been living here_______ 2 months.

Reference

A Communicative Grammar by Geoffrey Leech and Jan Svartvik.

article preposition

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