English Grammar - Articles - How to use A, AN, THE

Wow. They won a game. They really won a game.

Hi. I'm James. I was just reading that the Philadelphia Flyers, they're an American baseball team.

They won a baseball game. In fact, they won the biggest baseball game ever, the World Series.

If you were listening carefully, I know you were, you probably noticed I said "the" and "a" a lot.

There's another one I can use, which is "an", but we'll get to that because today we're going to talk about articles.

Now, articles are funny things because many foreign students, when they start learning a language,

they get very good with the vocabulary, the particular words.

They also do very well with the grammar.

But they forget something that's really important to us, which are articles.

Articles define to us whether a thing is singular or plural.

And how they do this is by telling us, if you see an article, it must be singular.

But that's not the only thing it does. Let's take a look.

Now, an easy way to remember articles are this.

The word "article" has two things that are important to us.

"a" for "a" and "t" for "t".

Like that.

Now, when you see the words "a" or "the", we're talking about singular objects.

So I have "a pen".

And "the pen" is good.

I know, stupid sentence, but you get the idea, right?

I have "a pen".

Better sentence. "The pen is blue."

Now, you're probably thinking, "Well, that's a good sentence."

"A pen." Better sentence. "The pen is blue."

Now, you're probably saying to yourself, "Huh? Why did you say 'a pen' and then 'the pen'?

Aren't they the same pen?"

You're smart. I knew I liked you for a reason.

Come on.

Yes, "a" and "the" are for singular things.

But, when we say "a", we're not talking about specific things, we're talking about general things.

So "a" is for general things.

And "the" is for specific things.

Now, I'm going to teach you a little trick to help you remember something.

When I said "a" and I introduced the pen, I said, "This is a pen."

This is the first time I mentioned it.

Because it's the first time I mentioned it and it's a general thing,

I'm going to say "a pen".

Now, I'm going to teach you a little trick to help you remember something.

This is the first time I mentioned it. Because it's the first time I mentioned it and it's a general thing,

or another thing, you don't know what I'm talking about, I say "a".

So, when we don't know, when all the people talking don't know what you're talking about, we say "a".

For instance, I could say to you, "Can you get me a pen? I don't have a specific pen in mind."

You don't know the pens I'm talking about, so you think, "Okay, what pen is he talking about?"

When I point to the pens, I say, "The pen's over there."

I point, you see this, then you'll say, "Ah, he wants a pen, any pen."

So, there are two cases here.

First, it's a general thing.

The second thing, not everybody knows what you're talking about.

So, when we say "a", we mean one, general things, and two, not everyone knows what you're talking about.

[writing]

Now, this is important.

I'll give you an example.

My friend Ezekiel, he's having a party tonight.

Now, when I talk to my other friend Josh, he doesn't know about the party.

And Josh says to me, "What are you doing tonight?"

I say, "I'm going to a party."

Not only are parties general things, but Josh has no idea about the party I'm talking about.

Now, let's just say Josh and Ezekiel have talked about the party before I came.

Josh says to me, "What are you doing tonight?"

I know Josh knows about the party.

Then I'll say, "Hey, I'm going to the party. Are you going?"

So, "the" is not only for specific things, it's for when both people or all people know what you're talking about.

One, it's for specific things.

And two, everyone.

Now, these are important distinctions because many students get confused with them.

So, let's go over them again.

Okay? Now, after I finish speaking, it'll come up on the blue screen. We'll have a little test.

And you can try and remember which definition goes with which thing.

"A" is used for general things, number one.

"A" is used when we don't know, or sorry, not everybody knows what's being discussed or talked about.

Okay?

Alright. I'm sure you remember that.

Now, let's look at "the". Remember?

"The" is for specific things, or when all of the people know what you're talking about.

Okay? Once again, remember, look at the blue screen.

Fantastic.

Now, we've done that.

There is one small difference.

Sometimes, when we're dealing with vowels, we have to make a small change.

Now, "the" is alright. It doesn't change.

But, if you deal with vowels, or you deal with words that start with "you" or "your", as in "European" or "University", we have to do a small change.

And that change is this.

"An". "A" becomes "an".

"An elephant".

Okay?

"An apple".

This is for vowels.

Now, words that start with "you" or "European", we still use "a".

"A university". "A university". "European". Sorry. "European".

Okay? So, we still use "a" with things like...

Or, you're looking for the "you" or "your" sound.

Now, hopefully, I have been able to help you with this problem.

There's going to be another one that will come up later.

Another big thing for students are prepositions.

That will be another lesson.

So, remember, if you want to talk about one general thing, use "a" or "an". "An" is used with vowels.

Okay? And, if you want to talk about specific things, or things that everybody knows about, we use "the".

Cool. You got "the" message? Good. I knew it was "a". Good lesson.

Have a great day and come again.

But, before I take off, quick message, because I want to help you more.

And the best way to do that is to send you where I'm going to be. Okay?

So, if you have any questions on articles, or prepositions, or any other grammar points, please come to www.engvid.com.

www.engvid.com

Here, you'll be able to find teachers such as myself and others who can help you with your grammar problems, pronunciation, listening, whatever you need.

Come to the forum. Look forward to seeing you. Bye.