Cod programme file

Articles

I- A/AN

• We use it essentially with countable (dénombrable) nouns. We use it to select one element from a group.
• A before consonants and AN before vowels
• A vowel can have a consonant sound.

Ex: A university, a European country.

We use AN before a mute H.

• We only use it before a countable singular so to express the singular of words such as luggage, information, advice, we use: a piece of...

Examples and idioms

• An apple a day keeps the doctor away, to be in a hurry, to have a sense of humour, all of a sudden
• What a shame, a pity, a relief, a mess, to make a fortune, a fire, a noise
• To have a headache, toothache

II- ARTICLE ZERO (Ø)

We use it to talk about a general idea. (Not like in French)

1. The notion of generality

• Before uncountable nouns

• Abstract nouns; I hate violence and hypocrisy
• Materials: Gold is more expensive than silver
• Food: He likes tea but he prefers coffee
• Colours/seasons/lges/diseases: I love winter, AIDS is a transmissible disease...

• Before countable plurals

• German cars are much more expensive than French cars.

1. Proper nouns

• Person’s name: John Smith
• + function: President kennedy/ Doctor Jekyll/ British Prime minister Tony Blair
• Continents/countries sg/States/regions/cities/islands: Africa, Texas, Sicily, Hyde park, Mount Everest,
• Days and months

1. Exceptions

• Nouns + numbers: room 12
• Institutions and places (their functions): to go to hospital, school, prison, church, bed, work

But we use THE when we talk about the building: The school is opposite the prison

• Man and Woman: (when generalities): All men are born equal

III- THE

We use it when we want to talk about something identified and determined

1. Determination through the context

• Use of an element already mentioned.
• Clauses introduced by a preposition (of, with, in...): I love the flowers in your garden.
• A superlative: This is the best book I’ve ever read.

1. Determination through the environment.

• Could you pass me the pepper, please?
• Where is the cat?
• The headmaster/ the boss/ the President/ the Pentagon...(common cultural experience)
• The sun/The universe (unique element)

1. Other cases

• THE before adjectives turned into nouns

The blind, the poor, the homeless

• Countable nouns (sg)

Animals: The giraffe is the tallest animal

Instrument: he plays the piano

Places’ names in pl: The Netherlands

Expressions with of: The tower of London

...