UNIVERSIDAD DEL ISTMO

College of Engineering and Information Technology

NAME:

Samuel Arboleda M.

SUBJECT

English II

TEACHER

Sonia Zelaya.

SUBJECT

Activity 1

DATE: 19/4/2023
 Index

Introduction…………………………………………………………………. Page: 3

The definite article…………………………………………………………Page: 4-8

Indefinite articles…………………………………………………………Page: 9-10

Countable and Uncountable Nouns…………………………………Page: 11-12

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………. Page: 13

Picture Gallery…………………………………………………………Page: 14-15

Bibliography…………………………………………………………………Page: 16
 Introduction

Definite and Indefinite articles are an important part of the language, as they are
used to specify or identify nouns in a sentence.

The definite article "the" is used before a specific noun and known by the
speaker and the listener. For example, "the book" refers to a particular book
that has already been mentioned or that you both know about.

The indefinite article "a" or "an" is used before a noun that is not specific or is
unknown to the speaker and listener. For example, "a book" refers to any book
in general, not one in particular.

Articles also help determine the gender and number of a noun in English. The
indefinite article "a" is used before singular nouns, while "an" is used before
singular nouns that begin with a vowel or vowel sound. The definite article "the"
is used before both singular and plural nouns.

In short, the definite and indefinite articles are important in English because
they help specify or identify nouns in a sentence, determine the gender and
number of nouns, and help make a sentence clear and understandable.

The importance of understanding the difference between countable and

uncountable is that it affects the way verbs and adjectives are used. Countable
nouns require plural verbs and adjectives when in their plural form, while
uncountable nouns are always used with singular verbs and adjectives. For
example, "These books are interesting" versus "This water is cold."
 Research about Definite and Indefinite articles and about countable /
uncountable nouns.

The definite article: The definite article the is the most frequent word in
English. We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the
listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to.

Definite article:

The (before a singular or plural noun).

The word "the" is one of the most common words in English. It is our only
definite article. Nouns in English are preceded by the definite article when the
speaker believes that the listener already knows what he is referring to. The
speaker may believe this for many different reasons, some of which are listed
below.

When to use "the"

General rules:

Use the to refer to something which has already been mentioned.

Examples:

1. On Tuesday, an unarmed man stole $11,000 from the bank. The thief
hasn't been caught yet.

2. The car parked outside is blocking the driveway.

3. There's a position available in my team. The job will involve some

international travel.

Use the when you assume there is just one of something in that place, even if it
has not been mentioned before.
Examples
We went on a walk in the forest yesterday.
Where is the room?
Turn left and go to number 75. Our house is across from the Panamanian
restaurant.
My sister enjoyed the book you gave him.
Use the in sentences or clauses where you define or identify a particular person
or object.

Examples
The man who wrote this book is famous.
I scratched the black car parked outside.
I live in the small house with a white door.
Dave is the doctor I came to see.
Use the to refer to people or objects that are unique.

Examples
The sun rose at 6:19 this morning.
You can go anywhere in the world.
Clouds drifted across the sky.
The Amazon CEO will be speaking on TV tonight.
The CEO of Total is coming to our meeting.
Use the before superlatives and ordinal numbers.

Examples
This is the highest building in Los Angeles.
Marta read the last chapter of her new book first.
You are the tallest person in our class.
This is the third time I have called you today.
Use the with adjectives, to refer to a whole group of people.
Examples
The Egyptian enjoy cheese.
The elderly requires special attention.
Clara has given a lot of money to the charity.

Use the with clauses introduced by only

Examples
This is the only day we've had sunshine all week.

You are the only person he will listen to.

The only tea I like is black tea.

Proper nouns

Use the with names of geographical areas, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of
islands, canals, and oceans.

Examples

They are travelling in the Arctic.

Our ship crossed the Atlantic in 7 days.

I will go on a cruise down the Nile.

Hiking across the Rocky Mountains would be difficult.

Use the with countries that have plural names

Examples

I have never been to the Roma.

Do you know anyone who lives in the Canada?

Use the with countries that include the words "republic", "kingdom", or "states"
in their names.

Examples

She is visiting the Big Bang.

James is from the United Kingdom.

Use the with newspaper names.

Examples

I read it in the Guardian.

Elisa works for the New York Times.

Use the with the names of famous buildings, works of art, museums, or
monuments.

Examples

Have you been to the Vietnam Memorial?

We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa.

I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower.

I saw King Lear at the Globe.

Use the with the names of hotels & restaurants, unless these are named
after a person.

Examples

They are staying at the Hilton on 6th street.

We ate at the Golden Lion.

Use the with the names of families, but not with the names of individuals.

Examples

We're having dinner with the Smiths tonight.

The Browns are going to the play with us.

When not to use "the"

Do not use the with names of countries (except for the special cases
above).

Examples

Japan is an important economic power.

He's just returned from Zimbabwe.

Do not use the with the names of languages.

Examples

French is spoken in Spanish.

English uses many words of Latin origin.

Indonesian is a relatively new language.

Indefinite articles

The indefinite articles in English are "a" and "an". These articles are used to
refer to non-specific or unknown nouns by the speaker and the listener.

"A" is used before singular count nouns that begin with a consonant or
consonant sound, while "an" is used before singular count nouns that begin with
a vowel or vowel sound. For example: A book
An apple

A car (A car)

An umbrella (An umbrella)

A house

An hour

The indefinite articles are used to indicate that the noun being mentioned is one
of many possible nouns and no particular noun is being specified. They can
also be used to introduce a noun for the first time in a conversation or speech.

Use a to refer to something for the first time.

Examples

Would you like a drink?

I've finally got a good job.

An elephant and a mouse fell in love.

Naming members of a group

Use a with names of jobs.

Examples

John is a doctor.

Mary is training to be an engineer.

He wants to be a dancer.

Use a with nationalities and religions in the singular.

Examples

John is an Englishman.
Julia is a Catholic.

Use a with the names of days of the week when not referring to any particular
day.

Examples

I was born on a Monday.

Could I come over on a Sunday sometime?

Countable nouns
Countable nouns are those that can be individually counted or enumerated.
They refer to objects or entities that can be identified and counted as discrete
units and have a distinctive singular and plural form.
For example, "book" (book) is a countable noun, because it can be counted and
there are different ways of referring to a single book (one book, two books,
three books, etc.). Other examples of countable nouns are "chair" (chair), "car"
(coche), "dog" (perro), "cup" (cup), "student" (student), among others.

Countable nouns can be modified by numbers, numeral adjectives, and definite

or indefinite articles, and can be used in grammatical structures that require the
pluralization of the noun to indicate quantity, such as "there are two books on
the table" (there are two books on the table). table) or "they have five cars"
(they have five cars).

It's important to note that some nouns can be both countable and uncountable
depending on the context, such as "water," which is uncountable when talking
about liquid in general, but becomes countable when referring to bottles or
glasses. water.
Examples

Max has five dogs.

I own a house.

I would like four books please.

How many friends do you have?

Uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They
may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects that are
too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.).
Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a
plural form.

Examples

tea

sugar

water
air

rice

knowledge

beauty

anger

fear

Examples

1. There has been a lot of research into the causes of this disease.
2. He gave me a great deal of advice before my interview.
3. Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?
4. He did not have much sugar left.
5. Measure 1 cup of water, 300g of flour, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
6. How much rice do you want?
 Conclusion

Countable and uncountable nouns, as well as the definite and indefinite articles,
are important in English for several reasons:

1. Precision: Count and non-count nouns help express quantity and

precision in a sentence. For example, "two books" or "a glass of water"
are more accurate than simply saying "books" or "water."

2. Grammar: Countable and uncountable nouns have specific grammar

rules that must be followed regarding plural form, use of articles, etc.

3. Effective Communication: Proper use of the definite and indefinite

articles can help distinguish between specific and non-specific elements,
and this can improve the clarity of communication.

4. Speech Fluency: By learning and practicing the correct use of nouns and
articles, speakers can communicate more fluently and naturally in
English.

In summary, knowledge and proper use of countable and uncountable nouns,

as well as definite and indefinite articles, are essential for effective
communication in English and for correct English grammar.
Picture Gallery
 Bibliography / Resources

Hart, S. (2018). Countable and uncountable nouns. Hong Kong University

Press.

(N.d.). Britishcouncil.org. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/a1-a2-grammar/countable-
uncountable-nouns-1

Gina. (2022, September 28). Countable and uncountable nouns: Explanation

and examples. Language Tool Insights.
https://languagetool.org/insights/post/grammar-countable-uncountable-nouns/

Definite and indefinite articles (a, an, the) - TIP sheets - butte college. (n.d.).
Butte.edu. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from
https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/grammar/articles.html