Advanced

Grammar &
Vocabulary
Session 9
 • Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound.
• A student asked a question during the lecture.
A

• Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound.

• An essay was assigned last week.
An
• Use the" when referring to something specific or something that both the
writer and reader know about.
• The professor gave a detailed explanation. (A specific professor both the
writer and reader know about.)
The • The library is closed on Sundays. (A specific library everyone in the
conversation knows.)
 Agenda
● When to use a, an, and the
● Examples
● Articles in different parts of the sentences
● Common mistakes
● Articles and containers
● Articles and quantifiers
● Summary
● Tips
 More examples
● A book is on the table.
(You don’t know which book. It's mentioned for the first time.)
● The book is very interesting.
(Now, it's a specific book that has already been mentioned.)
● She saw a bird in the garden.
(Any bird, not a specific one.)
● The bird was singing.
(A specific bird already mentioned.)
● An article in the journal was particularly insightful.
(One article, but not specified yet.)
● The article that you recommended was helpful.
(A specific article, already known.)
 Articles in Different Parts of the Sentence
1. Subject of the Sentence
● A and an are used when introducing a non-specific subject, while the is
used for a specific subject that is known to the reader or listener.

• Example with "a":

A hypothesis was proposed during the seminar.
(Any hypothesis, not specified yet.)
• Example with "an":
An anomaly (irregularity) was observed in the data.
(A non-specific anomaly, not yet detailed.)
• Example with "the":
The hypothesis suggested a new approach to the experiment.
(A specific hypothesis, likely mentioned before.)
 Articles in Different Parts of the Sentence
2. Object of the Sentence
● When the article appears in the object position, it follows similar
rules: a/an for non-specific objects, and the for specific ones.

• Example with "a":

The researcher presented a solution to the problem.
(One of possibly many solutions, not specified.
• Example with "an":
The team identified an error in the algorithm.
(One error among many possible errors.)
• Example with "the":
The committee approved the proposal submitted last month.
(A specific proposal that everyone knows about.)
 Articles in Different Parts of the Sentence
3. In Prepositional Phrases
● Articles in prepositional phrases are used to indicate specificity or
generality, depending on the context.
• Example with "a":
The professor discussed a theory about climate change.
(One theory out of many possible theories.)
• Example with "an":
The conference was held in an auditorium downtown.
(One auditorium, not specified.)
• Example with "the":
The lecture took place in the main auditorium (room for public
gathering) on campus.
(A specific, known auditorium.)
 Articles in Different Parts of the Sentence
4. With Adjectives
● When an adjective modifies a noun, the article is placed before the
adjective.
• Example with "a":
She offered a compelling (convincing) argument during the
debate.
(One of many possible arguments.)
• Example with "an":
He encountered an unexpected challenge in his research.
(One specific challenge, not yet detailed.)
• Example with "the":
They reached the final decision after hours of discussion.
(A specific decision, the last one in a series.)
 Articles in Different Parts of the Sentence
● 5. In Academic Writing
● In academic contexts, precision is key, so the correct use of articles is
crucial for clarity.
• Example with "a":
"A significant correlation (relation) was found between the two
variables."
(Any significant correlation, not yet specified.)
• Example with "an":
"An innovative method was applied in the study."
(One innovative method, among possible others.)
• Example with "the":
"The results of the experiment were conclusive."
(The specific results that were expected or discussed.)
Common Mistakes with "A," "An," and "The" in
IELTS Task 2 Writing
● 1. Omitting Articles:

• Mistake: Students often forget to use articles in complex

sentences or when dealing with abstract nouns.
• Example:
• Incorrect: Research showed importance of sustainable
practices.
• Correct: Research showed the importance of sustainable
practices.
• Why it's wrong: "Importance" is a specific abstract noun that
requires "the.”
 Common Mistakes with "A," "An,"
and "The" in IELTS Task 2 Writing
2. Overusing "The" with General Nouns:

• Mistake: Using "the" when referring to something in a general

sense.
• Example:
• Incorrect: The technology is changing rapidly.
• Correct: Technology is changing rapidly.
• Why it's wrong: "Technology" is a general concept here, not
something specific, so no article is needed.
Common Mistakes with "A," "An," and
"The" in IELTS Task 2 Writing
3. Confusing "A" and "An" with Advanced Vocabulary:

• Mistake: Choosing the wrong article based on spelling rather

than sound.

• Example:
• Incorrect: She gave a honest opinion.
• Correct: She gave an honest opinion.

• Why it's wrong: "Honest" starts with a vowel sound (silent "h"),
so "an" is needed.
Common Mistakes with "A," "An," and
"The" in IELTS Task 2 Writing

4. Using "A" or "An" with Uncountable Nouns:

• Mistake: Applying "a" or "an" to uncountable nouns.

• Example:
• Incorrect: He provided an advice on the issue.
• Correct: He provided advice on the issue.
• Correct Alternative: He provided a piece of advice on the issue.

• Why it's wrong: "Advice" is uncountable, so it shouldn’t use "a"

or "an" unless it’s quantified.
Common Mistakes with "A," "An," and
"The" in IELTS Task 2 Writing
5. Using "The" with Plural Nouns Incorrectly:

• Mistake: Misusing "the" before plural nouns when referring to

something general.
• Example:
• Incorrect: The students should learn the languages to increase
job prospects.
• Correct: Students should learn languages to increase job
prospects.
• Why it's wrong: The sentence refers to students and languages
in general, not specific ones, so no article is needed.
Common Mistakes with "A," "An," and
"The" in IELTS Task 2 Writing
6. Using "The" Incorrectly with Proper Nouns:

• Mistake: Adding "the" before names of people, cities, or

countries when it’s unnecessary.
• Example:
• Incorrect: I visited the Tokyo last year.
• Correct: I visited Tokyo last year.

• Why it's wrong: Most proper nouns don’t need "the" unless they
are names of rivers, mountain ranges, etc.
Common Mistakes with "A," "An," and
"The" in IELTS Task 2 Writing
7. Inconsistent Use of Articles in Parallel Structures:
• Mistake: Not maintaining consistency in sentences with parallel
structure.
• Example:
• Incorrect: She has a degree in economics and passion for
teaching.
• Correct: She has a degree in economics and a passion for
teaching.
• Why it's wrong: Both parts of the parallel structure should use
the article if it applies to both nouns.
 Articles and containers
1. Using "A" and "An" with Containers
● When you refer to a single item or unit of something, use "a" or "an" depending on
the initial sound of the following word.
• Example with "a":
A bottle of water was placed on the table.
(One bottle, not specified which one.)
• Example with "an":
An ounce of sugar is required for the recipe.
(One ounce, not specified which one.)
2. Using "The" with Containers
● When referring to a specific container or unit, use "the."
• Example
The jar of honey on the counter is almost empty.
(A specific jar that everyone knows about.)
 Articles and Quantifiers
● 3. With Quantifiers: "A Couple of," "A Few," "Several"
● "A couple of," "a few," and "several" are used to indicate small quantities and are followed by plural nouns. They typically
don’t need "the" unless you’re talking about specific items.
• "A couple of": Refers to two items.
Example:
"A couple of students stayed after class."
(Two students, not specified which ones.)
• "A few": Refers to a small number, more than two.
Example:
"A few books were missing from the shelf."
(Some books, not specific.)
• "Several": Refers to more than a few, still a small group.
Example:
"Several issues were raised during the meeting."
(Some issues, but not all.)
● Using "The" with Quantifiers:
When you refer to specific items that the reader/listener is already familiar with, use "the" before quantifiers.
• Example:
"The couple of hours we spent together were unforgettable."
(Specific hours already mentioned or known.)
• Example:
"The few problems we encountered were resolved quickly."
(Specific problems already discussed.)
 Articles and superlatives

4. Special Case: "The" with Superlatives

● When using a quantifier with a superlative or

when something is unique, always use "the."

• Example:

"The best of the options was chosen by the

committee."
(A specific, unique choice.)
 Summary of Key Points
• Use "a" or "an" for one item or a non-specific container.
• Use "the" for a specific container or specific items.
• Quantifiers like "a couple of," "a few," and "several" generally
don’t need "the" unless referring to something specific.
● Examples in Sentences
1. "A couple of students asked the professor a question after the
lecture."
2. "The bottle of juice in the fridge is almost empty."
3. "A few days ago, I received a letter from an old friend."
4. "The several suggestions made during the meeting were
insightful."
 Tips to Avoid These Mistakes:
1. Double-check each noun in your sentence to see if it
needs an article.
2. Focus on sounds, not just spelling, especially with
"a" and "an."
3. Learn the rules for uncountable nouns to avoid
adding unnecessary articles.
4. Be mindful of general vs. specific references to
choose the right article or omit it.