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Definition: The words "a," "an," and "the" are called articles. "A" and "an" are indefinite articles, and "the" is the definite article. Articles are used to modify nouns. First you need to decide whether you are looking at a nonspecific noun or a specific noun. Nonspecific nouns can name either an entire category of identical things (EX: Trees) or a representative member of a category (Ex: A tree). Specific nouns refer not to a general category, but to one particular thing (or group of things) known to the reader (Ex: The tree in your yard). When deciding which article to use, please consider the following guidelines: 1. If the noun is nonspecific and uncountable, do not add an article. (Ex: He wanted water.) In this example, "water" is uncountable and nonspecific. 2. If the noun is nonspecific, countable, and plural, do not add an article. (Ex: Trees are beautiful.) 3. If the noun is nonspecific, countable, and singular, use "a" or "an." (Ex: A tree) 4. If the noun is specific, use "the." (Ex: The tree your sister planted is beautiful.) 5. If the noun is nonspecific, countable, singular, and begins with a vowel, use "an" instead of "a." (Ex: An illness swept through the countryside.) Directions: Correct the article errors in the following sentences. From the lettered choices following each numbered exercise, identify the revision that correctly edits the sentence. We decided to take airplane to Toronto to see a CN Tower. A) We decided to take a airplane to Toronto to see the CN Tower. B) We decided to take an airplane to Toronto to see the CN Tower. C) We decided to take the airplane to Toronto to see the CN Tower. 2 Kim bought new car from her neighbour. A) Kim bought a new car from her neighbour. B) Kim bought new car from neighbour. C) Kim bought the new car from neighbour. 3 Most people want to have the good health, so they try to visit doctor regularly. A) Most people want to have good health, so they try to visit a doctor regularly. B) Most people want to have a good health, so they try to visit the doctor regularly. C) Most people want to have good health, so they try to visit doctor regularly. 4 The philosophy is very challenging course. A) The philosophy is a very challenging course. B) Philosophy is the very challenging course. C) Philosophy is a very challenging course. 5 We decided to buy three litres of the gasoline before driving to the party. A) We decided to buy a three litres of gasoline before driving to the party. B) We decided to buy three litres of gasoline before driving to the party. C) We decided to buy three litres of a gasoline before driving to the party. 6 To win an election in this town, a candidate must get a money from the wealthy. A) To win an election in this town, candidate must get money from the wealthy. B) To win an election in this town, a candidate must get money from the wealthy. C) To win an election in this town, a candidate must get the money from the wealthy. 7 The gardener decided to prune tree that we had planted just a week ago. A) The gardener decided to prune the tree that we had planted just a week ago. B) The gardener decided to prune the tree that we had planted just a week ago. C) The gardener decided to prune a tree that we had planted just week ago. 8 Chris has always been fascinated by the zebras. A) Chris has always been fascinated by zebras. B) Chris has always been fascinated by a zebras. C) Chris has always been fascinated by an zebras. 9 In the history class, we read essay by David Suzuki, very famous scientist. A) In a history class, we read the essay by David Suzuki, the very famous scientist. B) In history class, we read an essay by David Suzuki, a very famous scientist. C) In the history class, we read a essay by David Suzuki, very famous scientist. 10 As Quang stared at a moon, he thought about future. A) As Quang stared at the moon, he thought about the future. B) As Quang stared at the moon, he thought about future. C) As Quang stared at a moon, he thought about the future. 11 All the students wanted to spend Saturday at championship game. A) All students wanted to spend a Saturday at a championship game. B) All the students wanted to spend Saturday at a championship game. C) All the students wanted to spend Saturday at the championship game. 12 In today's Japan, even many kindergarten students try to enter the best elementary schools because this is one way to enter good college or university. A) In today's Japan, even many kindergarten students try to enter the best elementary schools because this is one way to enter the good college or university. B) In today's Japan, even many kindergarten students try to enter the best elementary schools because this is one way to enter a good college or university. C) In today's Japan, even many kindergarten students try to enter a best elementary school because this is one way to enter the good college or university. 13 Many Japanese children go to private supplementary schools after regular school day in order to prepare for difficult entrance examinations for college. A) Many Japanese children go to private supplementary schools after regular school day in order to prepare for the difficult entrance examinations for college. B) Many Japanese children go to private supplementary schools after a regular school day in order to prepare for a difficult entrance examinations for college. C) Many Japanese children go to private supplementary schools after the regular school day in order to prepare for the difficult entrance examinations for college. 14 At a private supplementary school, student studies similar subjects, but at more difficult level. A) At a private supplementary school, a student studies similar subjects, but at a more difficult level. B) At private supplementary school, the student studies similar subjects, but at more difficult level. C) At the private supplementary school, student studies similar subjects, but at more difficult level. 15 A tuition at a private school is very expensive, about $10,000 for a year. Because private supplementary schools are so expensive, less affluent families must make great sacrifices in their lifestyle. A) The tuition at a private school is very expensive, about $10,000 for year. Because private supplementary schools are so expensive, less affluent families must make great sacrifices in their lifestyle. B) Tuition at a private school is very expensive, about $10,000 for a year. Because private supplementary schools are so expensive, less affluent families must make great sacrifices in their lifestyle. C) The tuition at the private school is very expensive, about $10,000 for the year. Because the private supplementary schools are so expensive, less affluent families must make great sacrifices in their lifestyle. 16 For example, family may give up family vacations, and parents may sacrifice their personal wants and needs to pay for this private supplementary school. Without this private school, child may be at a disadvantage compared with other children. A) For example, a family may give up family vacations, and parents may sacrifice their personal wants and needs to pay for this private supplementary school. Without this private school, a child may be at a disadvantage compared with other children. B) For example, family may give up family vacations, and parents may sacrifice their personal wants and needs to pay for this private supplementary school. Without this private school, the child may be at a disadvantage compared with other children. C) For example, the family may give up family vacations, and parents may sacrifice their personal wants and needs to pay for this private supplementary school. Without this private school, the child may be at disadvantage compared with other children. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070958262/student_view0/grammar_review/articles_and_nouns.html |