2. Most English speakers recognize 3 articles:
the indefinite articles a and an and the
definite article the, but there is another
the
problem: the use of no article .
Articles are problematic for ELLs because:
Some languages have no articles
Some have only the definite article
Others have the same articles as English but
their usage does not overlap
4. INDEFINITE ARTICLES
Rule Example
1. Use before a noun or an adjective (+ noun) that begins with a a teacher, a good teacher
consonant sound.
2. Use an before a noun or an adjective (+ noun) that begins with a an idea, an absurd idea
vowel sound
Note: Remember that words beginning with the letters h or u can be
problematic. The use of a and an depends on the beginning sound of
the word.
5. DEFINITE ARTICLES
Rule Example
1. Use the when you talk about something specific. The red car is mine.
2. Use the when the speaker and the listener are Joan, don’t forget to open the book.
talking about the same specific item.
3. Use the for the second and all other references to I have a cat and a god. The cat’s name is
the same noun. Pitchuca and the dog is called Tobby.
4. Use the with the superlative form of adjectives You’re simply the best
5. Use the for the names of countries that look plural, the Philippines, the Netherlands
including countries that end in –s or have the words the United States, the Soviet Union, the
united, union, republic or kingdom. Republic of Angola, etc.
6. Use the for the parts of something (Exception: body I went to Mary’s house last night. Her kitchen
parts) is awesome. The refrigerator is red, the stove
is white, the clock is green.
7. Use the with most bodies of water except individual the Amazon, the Mississipi River, the
lakes. Great Lakes (but Lake Michigan)
8. Use the with geographic parts of the globe and the equator, the Middle East, the Gobi
geographic areas, deserts, and penisulas. Desert, the South
6. NO ARTICLE
Rule Example
1. When you want to talk about a category or group in I love cats.
general, use no article.
2. Use no article before abstract nouns such as feelings or Patience is a virtue.
ideas.
7. COMMON ELL MISTAKES: WHAT YOUR ELLS SHOULD
KNOW
Do not use a singular count noun without an article (or other determiner).
Do not use a with a noun that begins with a vowel sound
Do not use the with a plural count noun that refers to the whole category.
Do not use the with abstract nouns or ideas.
IDEAS FOR TEACHING
