In today’s podcast, you’ll learn how and when to use 4 types of determiners in English so that you’ll know, once and for all, how to use the definite article ‘the’, the indefinite articles ‘a’ and ‘an’ and the zero article (when no article is needed).
The definite and indefinite article, A, AN, THE, ZERO with special guest Bea
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What is an article in English grammar?
Articles come before nouns and show whether we are talking about:
something new or not specific → a / an
something specific or already known → the
something general or abstract → zero article (no article)
Indefinite articles: a / an
Use a / an with singular countable nouns
When we mention something for the first time
When the listener does not know exactly which one
I bought a new phone yesterday.
She works in an office near the station.
When to use ‘a’ and when to use ‘an’
Use a before a consonant sound
Use an before a vowel sound (sound, not letter)
a university ( /juː/ sound )
an hour (silent h)
Use a / an with jobs and professions
She’s a doctor.
He became an engineer.
Definite article: the
Use the when the noun is specific
The listener knows which one
It has been mentioned before
I bought a new phone yesterday. The new Samsung phones are really expensive.
Can you close the door? (the one we both see)
Use ‘the’ when there is only one of something
Unique objects or institutions
the sun, the moon
the Prime Minister
Use ‘the’ with things that are common knowledge
She’s waiting at the bus stop.
I didn’t like the film we saw last night.
I’m going to the bank.
Use ‘the’ with superlatives and ordinals
the best solution
The most expensive ticket
the first time
Use ‘the’ with certain groups of people and categories
Plural nouns meaning a group of people
the elderly
the rich and the poor
Zero article (no article)
Use zero article with plural and uncountable nouns (general meaning)
Books are expensive.
Do you take sugar?
Information is easy to find online.
Use zero article with abstract nouns (general ideas)
Freedom is important.
Happiness depends on expectations.
Life is good.
Use zero article with most proper nouns
Names of people, cities, countries (there are exceptions)
Emma lives in Paris.
I’ve been to Italy.
Use zero article in fixed expressions
at work
go to school
in bed
The vs Zero article: important contrasts
The = specific building or situation
She is in hospital. (as a patient)
She is visiting the hospital. (the building)
Geographical names
‘the’ with seas, rivers, mountain ranges, deserts
Zero article with most countries and cities
the Thames
the Alps
Spain is beautiful.
Common learner difficulties (useful to highlight orally)
Forgetting articles completely
Overusing the
Using a/an with uncountable nouns (❌ a advice)
Correct forms:
some advice
a piece of advice
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. Send us an idea or two for a future podcast.
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In next week’s episode: How to make small talk
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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’