Definite (the) & Indefinite (a/an) articles

a/an + singular countable nouns

• any one of a kind of group or when a noun is mentioned for the FIRST time
• with expressions of quantity and frequency
• unknown people: emphasize that a person is unknown (Ex: A Mr Smith called while you were out)

Ex: I'd like a coffee, I'd like aN apple

the + countable, uncountable or plural noun when the noun refers to something SPECIFIC or unique or to something ALREADY mentioned

• plural names of countries, oceans / seaes, rivers, mountain ranges, group of islands
• names of hotels, cinemas, museums, newspapers
• buildings named after people (Ex: The Sheraton Hotel)

Ex: The girl I met is..., Let's go to the park

ZERO ARTICLE (no article) + plural countable noun or uncountable nouns to make generalizations

• names of continents and most countries, states, cities, town, mountains, lakes, streets, parks, shops
• meals, languages, sports, games, subjects
• 's/s (Ex: McDonald's, Macy's...)

Ex: I like dogs

Excercises

In each space put a/an or the, or leave the space blank

There are ten extra appearences of the in the following text. Underline them.

Countable nouns

• singular & plural form
• a/an
• some/any
• many/few

Ex: an appointment → thwo appontmentS