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Copy of A2 Students ePortfolio Template 2024 (1)

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Cream Blue Modern Business Magazine Layout A4 Dcoument

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Cream Blue Modern Business Magazine Layout A4 Dcoument

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Have you ever asked these questions?

Why does English have articles?

What do articles do?

Do you really need to use them?

Can native speakers understand you without them?

You're not alone.

There is no doubt: articles are confusing! I agree with you on that. There are so many rules for how to use them. And then, of course, we break the rules too.

So, how can you learn to use articles correctly? It takes time and practice.
In today's lesson, I want to answer your questions. And then I want to help you learn articles in a different way. This lesson has three parts:

A quick overview of general rules for how to decide which article is correct.

A reading with an explanation for each article in the text so you can see clearly the how and why we use articles.

Two practice opportunities.

Finally, I know this lesson is heavy. It is a lot of information. So take your time. If you do a little bit today, a little bit tomorrow, and a little bit the next day, that is okay!

You should already know that in English we have 4 articles a/an/the/ø.

The /ø/ is often called the Zero Article. And articles are used before nouns ( = people, places, or things/objects).
If you haven't learned about the ø before, don't worry! You'll learn about it today.

Articles are used to help us separate (or understand) new vs. old information. They help us understand specific vs. general information. And they help us understand if you are talking about many vs. all vs. one. (You will learn more about this in the text you'll read below.)

"Articles are used to help us separate (or understand) new vs. old information. They help us understand specific vs. general information. And they help us understand if you are talking about many vs. all vs. one."

Okay, so let's do a review of the general rules of articles. I will not provide ALL the rules and exceptions of articles here. Many of those you will learn specifically in the text below.
A/An
We use a/an:

The first time you mention or refer to a noun
Example: I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday! (First mention). Can you believe the shoes were 50% off!! (Second mention - now it is clear which shoes: the shoes you bought yesterday.)

To name a member of a group

Jobs (I'm a teacher.)

Nationalities (He's an American.)

Religions (She's a Buddhist.)

When you also mean "one"
Example: I had an ( =one) apple at lunch.

Expressions that quantify

The
We use the:

With something already mentioned (see example for the first mention with a/an above)

When there is just one of something*
I took a walk in the forest. (There is only one forest where you live.)

When you define a specific person, object or place
I loved the book my dad gave me for my birthday. (Not just any book, but specifically the books your dad gave you for your birthday.)

With things that are unique (there is only one)*

The sun

The President of the U.S.

The CEO of Apple

With ordinal numbers and superlatives

The first, the second, the third

The biggest, the best, the fastest, the ugliest

With some proper nouns:

Rivers (The Nile)

Mountains Ranges (The Rockies, The Alps)

Oceans (The Pacific Ocean)

Groups of Islands or Countries with Plural

The Hawaiian Islands

The Netherlands

*When there is just one of something or when something is unique, then the information is shared information. This means everyone already knows about the person/place/thing so we don't have to explain it or define it. For example, everyone around the world knows about the sun. We don't have to explain the sun, so we always use the sun (not a sun).
Ø (Zero Article)
We use ø:

Talk about things in general (all things everywhere)

I love watching whales! (All whales everywhere, not just one specific whale.)

I love Italy.

Countries

He's from Germany.

Have you visited Algeria?

Languages

Meals

People's names and titles

With possessives

Uncountable nouns (unless referring to a specific example)
I love adding milk (uncountable) to my coffee (uncountable + possessive).

Specific mountains, lakes, and islands

Most cities, towns, streets, and airports

Now - let's see these rules in real life.

For this activity, I am using a text from last week's lesson on Travel Stories although I've made a few changes. It is important to use a text that is familiar to or easy for you because I want you to focus on the articles (how we use them and why), not on the meaning of the text.

Here is a text from last week's Travel Stories lesson. In the text, I have highlighted most uses of a/an/the/ø and, below the text, I explain WHY the article is used. Just click to open the number if you're not sure why the article is used.

This activity will help you understand how articles help us understand new vs. old information and specific vs. general information. After you read, you'll have an opportunity to practice.

When I was younger, I had (1) a real sense of adventure. I loved (2) the vacations my family took every summer. We would go backpacking, camp in the woods, sleep in tents and spend (3) the evening next to (4) the campfire. As (5) a child, I remember trying to build (6) a fire from scratch by rubbing two sticks together. I think (7) my entire family laughed while I worked at it for (8) an hour. Unfortunately, I never succeeded and my father had to start (9) the fire.

But I do have such good (10) memories of camping and hiking with my family. Every (11) summer my parents would pack up (12) the kids and (13) the dog into (14) the car. Then they would pack all (15) our outdoor gear on (16) the roof of (17) the car and fill (18) coolers full of (19) food. My mom would pack all (20) the usual stuff: trail mix, fruit, marshmallows to roast over (21) the fire, stuff to make (22) sandwiches, etc. We'd take (23) a road trip to (24) the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, find (25) our spot to set up camp, and pitch our tents near a river. I loved listening to (26) the sound of (27) the river at (28) night!

But I haven't camped for years! Neither David nor I can take that much (29) time off of work. It makes me (30) a little sad that Sophie, our daughter, won't have those same memories. But last (31) year we did do something a little fun, a little different: we had (32) a staycation. The two of us could only get 4 days off of work and we were on (33) a tight budget. We hadn't enjoyed everything (34) the city has to offer for ages so we decided to have our vacation at (35) home. We visited (36) the museums and went to (37) the theater. We even took (38) a day trip to (39) the coast (40) a few hours away for (41) a day of sun, sand, and surf. We have some wonderful (42) photos of our picnic dinner watching (43) the sunset on (44) the beach.

Now it's your turn!
Here is another travel story from last week but with some changes. Try to fill in the missing words with a/an/the/ø (to show no article). Can you identify WHY you should use the article you chose?

Ugh! I hate planning (1) ____ vacations. I mean, I do love traveling but I don't want to think about it. All (2) ____ details and planning - I can't be bothered!

I prefer (3) _____ all-inclusive vacations for (4) ____ little R&R. You know, those places where all you do is show up and that's it. You have (5) _____ breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And there are (6) ____ activities, (7) _____ beach, pools, and dancing. Sure, they usually cost (8) ____ little more but if I don't have to plan everything then it's worth it. (9) ____ only thing is you have to be careful of those hidden extras! I've definitely been surprised by (10) ____ final bill (11) _____ few times.

My fiancé and I are talking about (12) _____ all-inclusive cruise for our honeymoon. It sounds amazing but I've never been on (13) ____ ship for that long. I'm (14) ____ little nervous about seasickness I do love (15) ____ idea of island-hopping. Plus (16) _____ ship has (17) ____ ton of amenities with its many pools, fitness centers, and restaurants. What I need to figure out is what to pack for (18) ____ cruise. I'm actually terrible about over packing.

Let's try one more practice.
This time I'd like you to write your own paragraph. You can choose to write another travel story or you can talk about your day. Use the rules and examples from this lesson to help you with the articles.

Write your paragraph in the comments section. I will be sure to read it and help you!

Have a great week and thanks for joining me,
~ Annemarie

You'll also get my Confident English lessons delivered by email every Wednesday and occasional information about available courses. You can unsubscribe any time.

Use these 10 English power words on leadership when you're aiming to interview for a job in English, write your resume, or determine opportunities for personal/professional growth.

Build stronger teams, improve collaboration, and increase clarity with positive communication in English. Use these 4 strategies and essential English phrases to help.

Be ready to speak up and share your ideas in English with confidence, even if no one pauses to ask you what you think or there isn't a clear break in the conversation.

Use these 10 English power words on leadership when you're aiming to interview for a job in English, write your resume, or determine opportunities for personal/professional growth.

Build stronger teams, improve collaboration, and increase clarity with positive communication in English. Use these 4 strategies and essential English phrases to help.

Be ready to speak up and share your ideas in English with confidence, even if no one pauses to ask you what you think or there isn't a clear break in the conversation.

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How to Use Articles in English Correctly (A, An, and The)

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Have you ever asked these questions? Why does English have articles? What do articles do? Do you really need to use them? Can native speakers understand you without them? You're not alone. There is no doubt: articles are confusing! I agree with you on that. There are so many rules for how to use them.

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The past continuous is made from the past tense of the verb and the -ing form of a verb:

We use the past continuous to talk about the past:

Compare: The children did their homework when (= after) I got home.

This use of the past continuous is very common at the beginning of a story:

The other day I was waiting for a bus when ...
Last week, asI was driving to work, ...

for something that happened before and after a specific time:

Compare: At eight o'clock I wrote (= started writing) some letters.

to show that something continued for some time:

for something that happened again and again:

I was practising every day, three times a day.
Theywere meeting secretly after school.
Theywere always quarrelling.

with verbs which show change or growth:

The children were growing up quickly.
Her Englishwas improving.
My hairwas going grey.
The townwas changing quickly.

We do not normally use the past continuous with stative verbs.We use the past simple instead:
Level: intermediate
Past continuous and hypotheses

We can also use the past continuous to refer to the present or future in hypotheses (when we imagine something). See these pages:

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Learn how to use the past continuous to talk about the past, and do the exercises to practise using it.

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With most verbs, the past tense is formed by adding -ed:

But there are a lot of irregular past tense forms in English. Here are the most common irregular verbs in English, with their past tense forms:

We use the past tense to talk about:

something that happened once in the past:

something that happened several times in the past:

something that was true for some time in the past:

we often use expressions with ago with the past simple:

Past simple questions and negatives

We use to make questions with the past simple:

But questions with who often don't use did:
Who discovered penicillin?
Who wrote Don Quixote?

Past simple questions 1

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Past simple questions 2

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We use didn't ( did not) to make with the past simple:

Past simple negatives 1

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Past simple negatives 2

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Level: intermediate
Past simple and hypotheses

We can also use the past simple to refer to the present or future in hypotheses (when we imagine something). See these pages:

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Learn how to use the past simple to talk about the past, and do the exercises to practise using it.

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Used To Exercise 3 - a free interactive online exercise

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ENGLISH GUIDE ENGLISH 3 Parcial 1 2024-25 Prof. Samuel Vargas (1)

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ENGLISH GUIDE ENGLISH 3 Parcial 1 2024-25 Prof. Samuel Vargas (1)

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30 mph (miles per hour)

Many people do more than 30 mph through this town. It's very dangerous.

badly

She did very badly on the exam, so she'll have to retake it.

your best

Don't worry about getting everything correct. Just do your best.

business

It's been a pleasure doing business with you.

chores

I have to go home and do some chores this afternoon.

a course

John has decided to do a course in computing this autumn.

a crossword

She sat on the sofa, doing a crossword and drinking tea.

damage

The storm has done a lot of damage to the house.

the dishes / the washing up

I really hate doing the dishes. I'm hoping to buy a dishwasher this year.

a drawing

The little boy spent hours doing a drawing.

your duty

He has to do his duty and look after his elderly parents.

an exam

I have to do three exams and write a huge essay this term.

exercise

Julie likes doing exercise, especially running.

an exercise

The teacher asked us to do a lot of grammar exercises over the holidays

someone a favour

My friend did me a huge favour and lent me some money.

the gardening

David often spends Sunday afternoons doing gardening.

good

She helps homeless people and tries to do good.

you good

You should eat your vegetables. They'll do you good!

your hair

Allie spends ages doing her hair in the morning.

harm

I spilt coffee on my suit and tried to clean it, but I did more harm than good. It looks even worse now!

homework

Have you finished doing your homework?

housework

Let's do the housework quickly this morning, then we can go out for lunch.

the ironing

My mother listens to the radio while she does the ironing.

a job

I think the students did a great job with this essay. It's excellent.

the laundry / the washing

He did the laundry, cleaned the house, and made dinner.

your nails

Jenny likes to do her nails each week.

a painting

There was an old man sitting on the bank of the river, doing a painting.

paperwork

Does everybody hate doing paperwork?

research

I'm doing some research for my thesis at the moment.

the shopping

I'll do the shopping tomorrow morning. We need milk, bread, pasta and bananas.

time (= be in prison)

He broke into a bank, was caught by the police, and now he's doing time.

well

My sister is doing well in her new job.

work

Unfortunately, Lucy does a lot of work at the weekends.

your worst

I've bought all new winter clothes:- boots, a coat and a very warm hat. Weather, do your worst!

amends

I'm so sorry that I upset you. How can I make amends?

an appointment

She had toothache, so she made an appointment with the dentist for the following day.

arrangements

Okay, so we're going to go on holiday in September. Let's make some arrangements. I'll find a hotel, and you can look at flights.

an attempt

I know we might not catch the plane, but let's at least make an attempt to be on time.

believe

The children's favourite game is to make believe that they are kings and queens from long ago.

certain

I think the café opens at six, but let's make certain. I don't want to be standing in the street waiting!

a change

I've made some changes to the document.

a choice

Which job are you going to take? You need to make a choice.

a comment

My mother made a comment about my shoes.

a complaint

The food took so long to arrive that Julie made a complaint to the manager.

a confession

I'd like to make a confession. I was the one who ate the last of the chocolate.

a date

I'd love to see you soon. How about if we make a date for next week?

a decision

I've made my decision. I'm going to go back to university.

a difference

Going to the gym has really made a difference to how I feel.

a discovery

When John was last in London he made a discovery - a beautiful little café in a quiet street.

an effort

You're not trying hard enough! Make an effort!

an error

He made several errors on the report, and the boss told him to rewrite it.

your escape

The bank robbers took £10,000 from the safe and then made their escape.

an exception

Usually the children aren't allowed to watch TV but I made an exception today since the weather was so horrible.

an excuse

Why was Lisa late? Did she make an excuse?

a face

The child took a bite of the broccoli and made a face.

a fire

We put up our tent, made a fire, and had a hot drink.

a fool of yourself

You shouldn't sing in front of everyone! You'll make a fool of yourself.

a fortune

Lucy made a fortune when she sold her company. Now she doesn't have to work.

friends

She loved university and made lots of friends.

fun of

The children love to make fun of the teacher,- but only when she's not looking.

a fuss

It's okay! I'm fine, it's just a cough. Don't make a fuss!

an impression

Jenny certainly made an impression last night! All my friends are asking about her.

a joke

The interview was very tense at the beginning, but then John made a joke, and after that it was much more relaxed.

a journey

Because of the snow, try not to make any journeys which are not absolutely essential.

a list

First, I must make a list of all the things I need to do.

a loss

Their business made a loss the first year, but did much better after that.

love

The hero and the heroine made love in the film.

a mess

What a mess you've made! Can't you tidy up a bit?

a mistake

She made so many mistakes in her essay that the teacher couldn't understand it.

money

John made a lot of money in his twenties and was able to retire at the age of 35.

a move

Look how late it is! Let's make a move.

a noise

Please try not to make a noise when you come home, because I'll be asleep.

an observation

Could I make an observation? I don't think some of our customers like the new adverts.

an offer

She made an offer on a house. She's nervous because she'll find out today if it has been accepted, and she really wants to buy that house.

a payment

Hello? I'd like to make a credit card payment, please.

a phone call

I'm going to go outside and make a phone call. It's too noisy in here.

plans

David is making plans to move to Paris.

a point

The professor used lots of examples to make his point.

a prediction

The journalist made a prediction about the economy, but in the end it wasn't correct.

a profit

His business made a profit from the beginning.

progress

Finally, after being stuck in a traffic jam for an hour, we're making some progress! We'll arrive by 8pm.

a promise

I must study hard today. I made a promise to my mum that I wouldn't fail any more exams.

a remark

John was upset because the boss made a negative remark about his work.

a reservation

Could you call the restaurant and make a reservation for tonight?

a scene

Susie made a scene in the café when her order was wrong. She shouted at all the staff and demanded to speak to the manager.

a sound

Don't make a sound! We need to be completely quiet.

a speech

The bride's father often makes a speech at her wedding.

a suggestion

Could I make a suggestion? How about going out for dinner?

sure

I don't think I left the gate open, but I'm just going to go and make sure.

the bed

Could you please make the bed before you leave the house? Otherwise it looks so messy with the duvet and the pillows everywhere.

time (=find time to do something)

Everybody's busy, but you need to make time to study. Otherwise you won't be able to get a better job.

trouble

That employee is trying to make trouble. He is always telling the boss bad things about his colleagues.

a visit

I'll call you this afternoon.- I need to make a visit to my granny this morning.

your mind up

Do you want chocolate or strawberry ice cream? Make your mind up quickly!

your way

After the film, John made his way to a café, where he had two cups of coffee and some cake.

Do some exercises!

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Look at these examples to see how will, going to and the present continuous are used.

Oh great! That meeting after work's been cancelled. I'll go to that yoga class instead.
I'm going to try to visit my relatives in Australia this year.
The restaurant is reserved for 8. We're having a drink at Beale's first.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar explanation

We use different verb forms to talk about our plans for the future, depending on what kind of plan it is: a spontaneous plan, a pre-decided plan or an arrangement.

We use will to talk about spontaneous plans decided at the moment of speaking.

Oops, I forgot to phone Mum! I'll do it after dinner.
I can't decide what to wear tonight. I know! I'll wear my green shirt.
There's no milk. I'll buy some when I go to the shops.

We use going to to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking.

I'm going to phone Mum after dinner. I told her I'd call at 8 o'clock.
I'm going to wear my black dress tonight.
I'm going to go to the supermarket after work. What do we need?

Present continuous

We usually use the present continuous when the plan is an arrangement - already confirmed with at least one other person and we know the time and place.

I'm meeting Jane at 8 o'clock on Saturday.
We're having a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?

We often use the present continuous to ask about people's future plans.

Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Future forms: 'will', 'be going to' and present continuous

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Do you know how to talk about future plans using will, going to and the present continuous? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Copy of E3 Roadmap A2+ Vocabulary Units 6 to 10 (1)