Page 8 - PDF_Oxford Grammar for Schools 5_Neat 1

A, an,some, any, the, no article

A and an are indefinite articles.We use them when it is not important which particular noun or nouns
we're talking about.We use any instead of some in negative sentences and some questions.

a/ an + singular countable nouns some / any + plural countable nouns some / any + uncountable nouns I

I'llget a bowlof rice. I'll get some bowls of rice. I'll get some rice.
I'd likean orange, please. I'd like some oranges, please. I'd like some orangejuice, please.
There aren't any trees. Is there any space?

We usually use some, not any, in polite requestsand offers.
CouldI have/ Wouldyoulikesome crisps?

We use the with countable and uncountable nouns We use no articlewith plural countable nouns and
when it is important or clear which thing, things, uncountable nouns when we are talking ingeneral.
person or people we are talking about.This can be Helikesbooks andfilms.
becausewe have already talked about them before. Breadismade offlour, water,yeast andsalt.
We sawsome greenbirdsandsome brown birds.
We use no article before colours, sports, activities
The green birds were beautiful.
and meals.
We also use the when there is information afterwards Let's have breakfast.
to identify the noun. I don'tlikeyellow.
I'dlike the oranges that are inyour bag.
We use noarticle before countries, mountains,
Ankara is the capitalcity of Turkey.
lakes, islands and continents.
We use the when the noun is the only one in the world This is Canada/Mount Fuji/LakeGeneva/
or inthe place where we are. Madagascar/Asia (but The USA/The UK).
I sawiton the internet. We also use no article before places when the
Let's askthe teacher.
function of the placeismoreimportant than the

We also use the with musical instruments. building.When the building is more important we
Heplays the piano/the drums/the violin. use an article.
Ted's at school. (= the place where you have lessons)
We use the with names of rivers, seas, mountain
The school's onfire! (= the building itself)
ranges,deserts and groups of islands or states.
It'sa photo ofthe Amazon/the Pacific Ocean/ This rule also applies to prison,hospitaland university.
the Andes /the Sahara/theCanaries/the United Mybrother's in hospitalfor an operation.
Arab Emirates. The bus stops at the hospital.

* 6 Look at the pictures and write a, an or some.

_ _ _
ÿ s ovÿt orange juice 2 water 4 wheel 6 elephant

1 _ glass 3 _ people 5 _ pollution 7 _ plants

8 Countable and uncountable nouns; articles