Using English ArticlesUsing English ArticlesUsing English ArticlesUsing English Articles

a/ana/an thethe zero articlezero article

ESL WorkshopESL WorkshopPresented by Dana Atwell, ESL Presented by Dana Atwell, ESL

CoordinatorCoordinatoresl@uis eduesl@uis eduesl@uis.eduesl@uis.edu

Look at the Look at the words in redwords in red. Decide why these words were . Decide why these words were hhchosen.chosen.

“NBC News dropped Don Imus yesterday, “NBC News dropped Don Imus yesterday, pp y ypp y ycanceling his talk show on its MSNBC cable canceling his talk show on its MSNBC cable news channel news channel aa week after he made week after he made aa racially racially disparaging remark about disparaging remark about thethe Rutgers University Rutgers University p g gp g g g yg ywomen’s basketball team. women’s basketball team. TheThe move came after move came after several days of widening calls for Mr. Imus to several days of widening calls for Mr. Imus to lose his show both on MSNBC and CBSlose his show both on MSNBC and CBSlose his show both on MSNBC … and CBS lose his show both on MSNBC … and CBS Radio, which originates Radio, which originates thethe show.” show.” TheThe remark remark has upset people from all sectors of has upset people from all sectors of thethe country. country.

Carter, B. & Story, L. (2007, April 12). NBC news drops Imus show over racial Carter, B. & Story, L. (2007, April 12). NBC news drops Imus show over racial remark. remark. The New York TimesThe New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from . Retrieved April 12, 2007, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/media/12dismiss.html?ex=11http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/media/12dismiss.html?ex=1182312000& 36 fff966 fb480 & i 507082312000& 36 fff966 fb480 & i 507082312000&en=36afff966efb480a&ei=507082312000&en=36afff966efb480a&ei=5070

Notice the Notice the words in yellowwords in yellow. How are they similar or . How are they similar or dissimilar to the dissimilar to the articles in redarticles in red??

“NBC News dropped Don Imus yesterday, “NBC News dropped Don Imus yesterday, pp y y,pp y y,canceling canceling hishis talk show on talk show on itsits MSNBC cable MSNBC cable news channel news channel aa week after he made week after he made aa racially racially disparaging remark aboutdisparaging remark about thethe Rutgers UniversityRutgers Universitydisparaging remark about disparaging remark about thethe Rutgers University Rutgers University women’s basketball team. women’s basketball team. TheThe move came after move came after several days of widening calls for Mr. Imus to several days of widening calls for Mr. Imus to y gy glose lose hishis show both on MSNBC… and CBS show both on MSNBC… and CBS Radio, which originates Radio, which originates thethe show.” show.” TheThe remark remark has upset people fromhas upset people from allall sectors ofsectors of thethe countrycountryhas upset people from has upset people from allall sectors of sectors of thethe country. country.

Carter B & Story L (2007 April 12) NBC news drops Imus show over racialCarter B & Story L (2007 April 12) NBC news drops Imus show over racialCarter, B. & Story, L. (2007, April 12). NBC news drops Imus show over racial Carter, B. & Story, L. (2007, April 12). NBC news drops Imus show over racial remark. remark. The New York TimesThe New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from . Retrieved April 12, 2007, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/media/12dismiss.html?ex=11http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/media/12dismiss.html?ex=1182312000&en=36afff966efb480a&ei=507082312000&en=36afff966efb480a&ei=5070

Notice the Notice the underlined sectionsunderlined sections. Why aren’t there any . Why aren’t there any articlesarticles or or possessive possessive or or quantity wordsquantity words in their place?in their place?pp q yq y pp

“NBC News dropped “NBC News dropped ________ Don Imus yesterday, Don Imus yesterday, pppp ________ y yy ycanceling canceling hishis talk show on talk show on itsits MSNBC cable MSNBC cable news channel news channel aa week after he made week after he made aa racially racially disparaging remark about disparaging remark about thethe Rutgers University Rutgers University p g gp g g g yg ywomen’s basketball team. women’s basketball team. TheThe move came after move came after ________ several days of several days of __________widening calls for widening calls for Mr Imus to loseMr Imus to lose hishis show both on MSNBCshow both on MSNBCMr. Imus to lose Mr. Imus to lose hishis show both on MSNBC… show both on MSNBC… and CBS Radio, which originates and CBS Radio, which originates thethe show.” show.” TheThe remark has upset remark has upset ____________ people from people from allallsectors ofsectors of thethe countrycountrysectors of sectors of thethe country.country.

Carter, B. & Story, L. (2007, April 12). NBC news drops Imus show over racial Carter, B. & Story, L. (2007, April 12). NBC news drops Imus show over racial remarkremark The New York TimesThe New York Times Retrieved April 12 2007 fromRetrieved April 12 2007 fromremark. remark. The New York TimesThe New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2007, from . Retrieved April 12, 2007, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/media/12dismiss.html?ex=11http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/media/12dismiss.html?ex=1182312000&en=36afff966efb480a&ei=507082312000&en=36afff966efb480a&ei=5070

Important TerminologyImportant TerminologyImportant TerminologyImportant TerminologyCount/countable nounCount/countable nounNoncount/ uncountable nounNoncount/ uncountable nounGenericGenericS ifi / d fi iS ifi / d fi iSpecific/ definiteSpecific/ definite

For more information on the above terms, click For more information on the above terms, click herehere

Proper NounProper NounContextContextReferReferPreviousPrevious

The indefinite article (a/an)The indefinite article (a/an)( )( )Form: Form: Using Using aa or or anan depends on the following sounddepends on the following sound

M iM i I d fi i i l ll h i l dI d fi i i l ll h i l dMeaning: Meaning: Indefinite articles usually mean that noun is general and not Indefinite articles usually mean that noun is general and not specific at a certain time. Either there is not yet a context for the specific at a certain time. Either there is not yet a context for the noun or a context is unimportant to the meaning of the sentence.noun or a context is unimportant to the meaning of the sentence.

Use: Use: 1.1. When introducing a singular noun When introducing a singular noun

He made a racially disparaging remark. He made a racially disparaging remark. vs.vs.

He made racially offensive remarks.He made racially offensive remarks.

22. When classifying or defining a singular subject. When classifying or defining a singular subjectDon Imus is a talk show host. Don Imus is a talk show host.

vsvsvs. vs. Talk show hosts are radio announcers. Talk show hosts are radio announcers.

Indefinite article (a/an) contIndefinite article (a/an) contIndefinite article (a/an) cont.Indefinite article (a/an) cont.

33 Before quantifiers of few and little toBefore quantifiers of few and little to33. Before quantifiers of few and little to . Before quantifiers of few and little to impart positive rather than negative impart positive rather than negative meaningmeaningmeaning. meaning.

Don Imus has Don Imus has aa few supporters.few supporters.vs.vs.

Don Imus has few supportersDon Imus has few supporters

What about the indefinite article What about the indefinite article ??and plural nouns?and plural nouns?

1.1. Indefinite articles Indefinite articles cannotcannot be used with plural nounsbe used with plural nouns

2.2. You can use quantity words You can use quantity words somesome and and anyany..

UseUse anyany for negatives and questions where you doubt what you’refor negatives and questions where you doubt what you’re–– Use Use any any for negatives and questions where you doubt what you re for negatives and questions where you doubt what you re asking for. asking for.

He doesn’t show He doesn’t show anyany remorse for what he said.remorse for what he said.Does he have Does he have anyany supporters?supporters?

–– Use Use some some for positives and questions where you are believe you’ll for positives and questions where you are believe you’ll receive an affirmative responsereceive an affirmative response

SomeSome people think Imus shouldn’t have been fired. people think Imus shouldn’t have been fired. Do you thinkDo you think somesome other talk show hosts will be more careful about whatother talk show hosts will be more careful about whatDo you think Do you think somesome other talk show hosts will be more careful about what other talk show hosts will be more careful about what they say?they say?

3.3. SomeSome and and anyany can be omitted. can be omitted. Does he have supporters?Does he have supporters?Does he have supporters?Does he have supporters?People think Imus shouldn’t have been fired. People think Imus shouldn’t have been fired.

DoDo notnot use an indefinite article with:use an indefinite article with:Do Do not not use an indefinite article with:use an indefinite article with:

Noncount nounsNoncount nouns**a water, a water, **a casha cash

Proper nounsProper nouns**a Don Imus, a Don Imus, **a Springfield, IL a Springfield, IL **a Brookens Librarya Brookens Library,, p g ,p g , yy

Plural nounsPlural nouns** a basketball gamesa basketball games ** a foldersa folders a basketball games, a basketball games, a foldersa folders

* = grammatically incorrect* = grammatically incorrect

Practice Indefinite articlesPractice Indefinite articlesPractice Indefinite articlesPractice Indefinite articles

Practice Practice HereHere

4 sections 4 sections –– 2 exercises, 1 page of notes, 1 2 exercises, 1 page of notes, 1 review sectionreview section

Definite article (the)Definite article (the)Definite article (the)Definite article (the)

Form: theForm: theForm: the Form: the

M i “th ” ll f t thiM i “th ” ll f t thiMeaning: “the” usually refers to something Meaning: “the” usually refers to something definite, something specific. definite, something specific.

“NBC News dropped Don Imus yesterday… after he “NBC News dropped Don Imus yesterday… after he made made aa racially disparaging remark…” racially disparaging remark…” TheThe remark has remark has upset people.upset people.

When to use the definite article When to use the definite article ( )?( )?(the)?(the)?

1.1. When referring to a When referring to a specificspecific or or uniqueunique person or thing. person or thing. S ifi i hi k f i iS ifi i hi k f i iSpecific or unique things are known from previous mention or Specific or unique things are known from previous mention or contextcontext

TheThe remark has upset people. remark has upset people. (This refers back to an earlier sentence when(This refers back to an earlier sentence when(This refers back to an earlier sentence when (This refers back to an earlier sentence when the remark was introduced)the remark was introduced)

TheThe country is furious. country is furious. (This refers to the context (This refers to the context –– which country? which country? Somewhere in the article this is stated or implied) Somewhere in the article this is stated or implied)

Sometimes there is only one of something = UNIQUESometimes there is only one of something = UNIQUESometimes there is only one of something = UNIQUESometimes there is only one of something = UNIQUE(the first word, the best ice cream, the internet)(the first word, the best ice cream, the internet)

The first angry comment came immediately.The first angry comment came immediately.

Definite article (the)Definite article (the)Definite article (the)Definite article (the)

2.2. Use "the" with the following words:Use "the" with the following words:2.2. Use the with the following words: Use the with the following words: first, second, (3rd, 4th, etc.) only, same, right first, second, (3rd, 4th, etc.) only, same, right

(correct), and often with next, last(correct), and often with next, lastThe same thing happened two years ago.The same thing happened two years ago.

3.3. “The” can be used with singular and plural “The” can be used with singular and plural nounsnounsnounsnouns

The radio station is worried about losing listeners.The radio station is worried about losing listeners.The media companies are worried about losingThe media companies are worried about losingThe media companies are worried about losing The media companies are worried about losing listeners.listeners.

Common expressions with the Common expressions with the ffdefinite articledefinite article

the bank the bank hhthe zoothe zoo

the parkthe parkthe doctorthe doctorthe gymthe gymthe gymthe gymthe librarythe librarythe museumthe museumthe storethe storethe store the store the beachthe beachthe post officethe post officethe busthe busthe train the train the moviesthe movies

Practice Definite articlesPractice Definite articlesPractice Definite articlesPractice Definite articles

Please read the following April 17, 2007Please read the following April 17, 2007Please read the following April 17, 2007 Please read the following April 17, 2007 headline story on CNN. It is no longer headline story on CNN. It is no longer available on the CNN.com website. available on the CNN.com website.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate articleFill in the blanks with the appropriate articleFill in the blanks with the appropriate article Fill in the blanks with the appropriate article –– the indefinite article (a/an) or the definite the indefinite article (a/an) or the definite article (the).article (the).( )( )

There is an answer key at the endThere is an answer key at the endThere is an answer key at the endThere is an answer key at the end

Police: Virginia Tech shooter an English major, 23Police: Virginia Tech shooter an English major, 23

BLACKSBURG, VirginiaBLACKSBURG, Virginia (CNN) (CNN) –– The gunman who killed 30 people at The gunman who killed 30 people at Virginia Tech's Norris Hall before turning Virginia Tech's Norris Hall before turning (1) ____(1) ____ gun on himself gun on himself was student Cho Seungwas student Cho Seung--hui, university police Chief Wendell hui, university police Chief Wendell gg y py pFlinchum said Tuesday.Flinchum said Tuesday.

University officials said they were still trying to determine whether Cho University officials said they were still trying to determine whether Cho was responsible for was responsible for (2)____(2)____ earlier shooting at earlier shooting at (3)____(3)____ dormitory dormitory that left two dead.that left two dead.

H Fli h id b lli ti t t h th t fH Fli h id b lli ti t t h th t f (4)(4) ttHowever, Flinchum said ballistics tests show that one of However, Flinchum said ballistics tests show that one of (4)____(4)____ two two guns recovered at Norris Hall was used at Norris and at guns recovered at Norris Hall was used at Norris and at (5)____(5)____dorm, both located on dorm, both located on (6)____(6)____ 26,00026,000--student campus. student campus.

Authorities are still investigating whether Cho had any accomplices in Authorities are still investigating whether Cho had any accomplices in planning or executing Monday's rampage, Col. Steven Flaherty of planning or executing Monday's rampage, Col. Steven Flaherty of (7)____(7)____ Virginia State Police said.Virginia State Police said.( )____( )____ gg

"It certainly is reasonable for us to assume that Cho was "It certainly is reasonable for us to assume that Cho was (8)___ (8)___ shooter shooter in both places, but we don't have in both places, but we don't have (9)____(9)____evidence to take us there evidence to take us there pp ( )____( )____at this particular point in time," Flaherty said.at this particular point in time," Flaherty said.

Cho, Cho, (10)____(10)____ 2323--yearyear--old South Korean and old South Korean and (11)____(11)____ resident alien, resident alien, lived atlived at (12)(12) university's Harper Hall Flinchum said He wasuniversity's Harper Hall Flinchum said He waslived at lived at (12)____(12)____ university s Harper Hall, Flinchum said. He was university s Harper Hall, Flinchum said. He was (13)____(13)____ English major, English major, (14)____(14)____chief said.chief said.

Cho was Cho was (15)____(15)____ loner and authorities are having loner and authorities are having (16)____(16)____ hard time hard time finding information about him, said Harry Hincker, associate vice finding information about him, said Harry Hincker, associate vice president for university relations.president for university relations.

(17)(17) department of Homeland Security official said Cho came todepartment of Homeland Security official said Cho came to(17)____(17)____ department of Homeland Security official said Cho came to department of Homeland Security official said Cho came to (18)____(18)____ United States in 1992, through Detroit, Michigan. He had United States in 1992, through Detroit, Michigan. He had

lawful permanent residence, via his parents, and renewed his green lawful permanent residence, via his parents, and renewed his green card in October 2003, card in October 2003, (19)____(19)____ official said.official said.

His residence was listed as Centreville, Virginia, His residence was listed as Centreville, Virginia, (20)____(20)____ suburb of suburb of Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.

Answer KeyAnswer Key1.1. thethe2.2. an an

11.11. aa12.12. thethe

3.3. aa4.4. thethe

13.13. anan14.14. thethe

5.5. thethe6.6. the the

15.15. aa16.16. aa

7.7. thethe8.8. thethe

17.17. aa18.18. thethe

9.9. thethe1010 aa

19.19. thethe2020 aa10.10. aa 20.20. aa

No ArticleNo ArticleNo ArticleNo Article

Form:Form:Form: _______Form: _______

M i l b t tM i l b t tMeaning: general or abstract noun. Meaning: general or abstract noun. Specificity is not important. Specificity is not important.

Beauty is individual. Beauty = AbstractBeauty is individual. Beauty = Abstract

Horses are graceful animals. Horses = GeneralHorses are graceful animals. Horses = General

When to useWhen to use no articleno article??When to use When to use no articleno article??1.1. Don’t use an article when making generalizations about:Don’t use an article when making generalizations about:g gg g

plural subjects plural subjects Racially offensive remarks are disgusting.Racially offensive remarks are disgusting.

plural objectsplural objectsImus has said slurs in the past.Imus has said slurs in the past.

2.2. Don’t use an article with noncount subjectsDon’t use an article with noncount subjectsMoney will factor into CBS’s decision on whether or not to fire Imus.Money will factor into CBS’s decision on whether or not to fire Imus.

3.3. Don’t use an article before someone’s name or title + Don’t use an article before someone’s name or title + namename

Talkshow host Don Imus has been firedTalkshow host Don Imus has been firedTalkshow host Don Imus has been fired.Talkshow host Don Imus has been fired.

Common expressions with no Common expressions with no articlearticle

I have to go toI have to go toI have to go to ___________.I have to go to ___________.

h lh lschoolschoolworkworkhomehome

Practice definite articles & no Practice definite articles & no articlesarticles

Practice Practice HereHere

–– 4 exercises, 1 notes, 1 review + more practice4 exercises, 1 notes, 1 review + more practice

Special Uses of ArticlesSpecial Uses of ArticlesSpecial Uses of ArticlesSpecial Uses of Articles

Deciding between Deciding between thethe and and no articleno article

http://gocsm.net/sevas/esl/gramcheck/arthttp://gocsm.net/sevas/esl/gramcheck/art--4.html4.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/(the last three sections on the page)(the last three sections on the page)

Online ResourcesOnline ResourcesOnline ResourcesOnline Resources

Bedford St MartinBedford St MartinBedford St MartinBedford St MartinBedford St. Martin Bedford St. Martin –– you don’t need to registeryou don’t need to register–– must attempt answer before moving on to next questionmust attempt answer before moving on to next question

Bedford St. Martin Bedford St. Martin –– you don’t need to registeryou don’t need to register–– must attempt answer before moving on to next questionmust attempt answer before moving on to next question–– Rules & practice + explanationRules & practice + explanation

Online Writing Lab at PurdueOnline Writing Lab at Purdue–– RulesRules