Unit 7: Articles
Ngữ pháp Articles / countable and uncountable nouns / quantifiers
📘 Giải thích tiếng Việt
Mạo từ không xác định: a / an
Dùng trước danh từ đếm được số ít khi nói chung chung hoặc nhắc lần đầu (There's a good film on TV.). Chọn a hay an dựa vào ÂM chứ không phải chữ viết: an hour (âm nguyên âm), a unique experience (âm /juː/ như phụ âm).
Mạo từ xác định: the
Dùng khi nói cụ thể (người nghe biết rõ đối tượng), với danh từ đếm được/không đếm được và vật duy nhất (the sun, the moon). Cách đọc thay đổi theo âm sau nó: /ðə/ trước phụ âm, /ðiː/ trước nguyên âm.
Mạo từ zero (không dùng mạo từ)
Không dùng mạo từ với danh từ đếm được số nhiều hoặc danh từ không đếm được khi nói CHUNG CHUNG (Journalists often face danger. / News travels fast.). Nhiều cụm cố định cũng theo quy tắc riêng: go to school (đi học) so với go to the school (đến trường với tư cách khách); go to hospital (Anh) so với to the hospital (Mỹ).
Danh từ đếm được và không đếm được
Danh từ đếm được đi với a, many và động từ số ít/nhiều. Danh từ không đếm được (advice, information, news, furniture, luggage, money, work) đi với much và luôn động từ số ít (Your advice was useful.). Một số từ đổi nghĩa theo tính đếm được: a glass (cái cốc) và glass (thủy tinh).
Lượng từ (Quantifiers)
Phân biệt tinh tế: a few / a little mang nghĩa tích cực "một ít, có một số"; còn few / little mang nghĩa tiêu cực "rất ít, gần như không". many/much thường dùng trong câu phủ định và câu hỏi; a lot of/lots of dùng trong câu khẳng định cho cả hai loại danh từ.
Tổng điểm: 0/107
Theory
Indefinite article
There are two indefinite articles in English: 'a' and 'an'. 'An' is used before vowel sounds.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Singular countable nouns (when we are not being specific or when we mention something for the first time) | There's a good film on TV tonight. |
Watch out! Whether we use 'an' or 'a' depends on the sound, not the spelling.
✓ The news is on TV in an hour. ✗ The news is on TV in a hour.
✓ Being in a film was a unique experience for me. ✗Being in a film was an unique experience for me.
✓ Being in a film was a unique experience for me. ✗
Definite article
There is one definite article in English: 'the'.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Singular countable nouns (when we are being specific) | Where's the DVD you were talking about? |
| Singular countable nouns (when we are talking generally) | The radio seemed amazing to people at first. |
| Plural countable nouns (when we are being specific) | I didn't believe the rumours about the prime minister. |
| Uncountable nouns (when we are being specific) | I followed the advice my lawyer gave me. |
Watch out!
● The way we say 'the' changes depending on the sound at the start of the next word.
Before a consonant sound (the media, the USA, the programme), we pronounce it /ðə/.
Before a vowel sound (the announcer, the actor, the editor), we pronounce it /ðiː/.
Before a consonant sound (the media, the USA, the programme), we pronounce it /ðə/.
Before a vowel sound (the announcer, the actor, the editor), we pronounce it /ðiː/.
● We often use 'the' when we are talking about something there is only one of.
✓ the sky, the sun, the moon, the Prince of Wales, the North Pole, the World Cup
✓ the sky, the sun, the moon, the Prince of Wales, the North Pole, the World Cup
Zero article
We often don't use an article at all. This is sometimes called the zero article.
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Plural countable nouns (when we are talking generally) | Journalists often face dangerous situations. |
| Uncountable nouns (when we are talking generally) | News travels fast these days. |
Articles in phrases and expressions
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Time | definite: in the 1990s, in (the) summer, in the morning zero: in 2008, in June, on Friday, at night |
| People & work | indefinite: have a job, work as a … definite: the queen, the principal, the president, the French zero: become president, go to work, have work to do, he's French |
| Places | definite: the Alps, the Atlantic Ocean, the River Thames, the Earth, the Arctic, the USA, the UK, the Cyclades zero: Mount Everest, Paris, America, Mars/Venus/Jupiter, Oxford Street, Lake Superior, Crete |
| Entertainment & sport | definite: the media, on the radio, play the guitar, go to the cinema, watch (the) TV zero: listen to music, on television, play tennis/football etc |
| Organisations | definite: the army, the police, the fire brigade |
| Education | definite: go to the school (as a visitor), be in the first year zero: go to school (as a student), be in Class 3B, maths |
| Travel | indefinite: take a taxi, catch a/the bus definite: on the bus zero: on foot, go home, go by bus |
| Health | indefinite: have a cold/headache/cough definite: have (the) flu/measles zero: have toothache |
| Public buildings | definite: the bank, the tax office, go to the hospital/prison (as a visitor) zero: go to hospital/prison/church (as a patient/prisoner/worshipper) |
US vs UK Grammar
Speakers of American English do not usually use hospital without an article.
US: The ambulance took Simon to the hospital.
UK: The ambulance took Simon to hospital.
Speakers of American English do not usually use hospital without an article.
US: The ambulance took Simon to the hospital.
UK: The ambulance took Simon to hospital.
Countable and uncountable nouns
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Countable nouns ● Use a, the, some, many ● Use a singular or plural verb | I want to be a journalist. Where is the newspaper? How many channels do you get? |
| Uncountable nouns ● Use the, some, much ● Use a singular verb | Did you hear the news? How much information do we have about it? Your advice was very useful. |
Common uncountable nouns: advice, coffee, furniture, glass, hair, homework, information, knowledge, luggage, money, news, paper, work
Watch out!
● Most uncountable nouns are singular, but a few are plural: clothes, scissors, jeans, spectacles, trousers, groceries etc. With these words, we use a plural verb.
✓ Oh, no! My new clothes are dirty!
✓ Oh, no! My new clothes are dirty!
● Some nouns are countable with one meaning and uncountable with another meaning.
✓ Do you think you could bring me a clean glass? (countable)
✓ We should make computer monitors out of recycled glass. (uncountable)
✓ Do you think you could bring me a clean glass? (countable)
✓ We should make computer monitors out of recycled glass. (uncountable)
Quantifiers
| Quantifier | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| many | countable nouns, usually in negative statements and questions | There aren't many programmes on TV that I find interesting. |
| much | uncountable nouns, usually in negative statements and questions | My dad never shows much interest in the news. |
| a lot of / lots of | countable and uncountable nouns in positive statements | That film has won a lot of / lots of awards. |
| a few | countable nouns, means 'some' | There have been a few scandals in the papers recently. |
| a little | uncountable nouns, means 'some' | They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. |
| few | countable nouns, means 'not many' | Richard has few interests outside work. |
| little | uncountable nouns, means 'not much' | The police have little information about the robbery. |
Watch out! The phrase 'only a few' means 'not many'. The phrase 'only a little' means 'not much'.
✓ There are only a few programmes on TV that I like watching.
✓ There's only a little sugar left, so get some when you go out.
✓ There's only a little sugar left, so get some when you go out.
Exercise A
A Score: 0/10
Circle the correct word or phrase.
1
I love this time in __________ when the sun is going down.
the evening
2
People play __________ in South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka.
cricket
3
It's too far to walk so I think I'll catch __________.
the bus
4
Jane had to go home from school because she had __________.
a headache
5
The robber was sent to __________ for a total of three years.
prison
6
My cousin works as __________ in a cafe near where we live.
a waiter
7
The underground doesn't run this late so we'll have to take __________.
a taxi
8
I like to listen to __________ in my free time.
music
9
My favourite subject at school is __________.
chemistry
10
Jazz music appeared in America __________.
in the 1920s
Exercise B
B Score: 0/10
Choose the correct answer. If no word is needed, choose 'D'.
1
Oh, I didn't tell you! We've got __________ new English teacher.
a
2
Here's __________ DVD you asked to borrow.
the
3
We're out of __________ coffee, so could you get some from the supermarket?
no word
4
The prize is __________ unique opportunity to travel the world!
a
5
It looks like __________ glass in your bedroom window is cracked.
the
6
It's __________ honour to be here this evening to speak to you.
an
7
There's __________ good chance we'll be late for the meeting.
a
8
Reports are coming in of a major oil spill in __________ Mediterranean.
the
9
I went to see the doctor because I'm finding it difficult to sleep at __________ night.
no word
10
Do you think that they'll ever send a manned mission to __________ Venus?
no word
Exercise C
C Score: 0/10
Circle the extra word in each line.
Being in the news
1 The many people who appear in the news for the first time 2 find that a sudden fame has a negative effect on their lives. 3 The national press can be an unforgiving and the loss of 4 the privacy that comes with fame is an extra problem at a 5 difficult time. This is especially the case when a someone is 6 in the news because of a the serious crime. Just 7 at the moment when you are under a most stress, you find 8 microphones and the cameras in your face. The media have 9 a responsibility to inform the public, but an innocent people 10 are often hurt by the demand for the scandal.
Write the extra word for each line (1–10):
1
Extra word
The
2
Extra word
a
3
Extra word
an
4
Extra word
the
5
Extra word
a
6
Extra word
the
7
Extra word
a
8
Extra word
the
9
Extra word
an
10
Extra word
the
Exercise D
D Score: 0/7
Complete using the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1
The clothes you bought me for my birthday __________ wonderful! (be)
are
2
It turned out that the information we had received __________ wrong. (be)
was
3
My new jeans __________ in the wash and I wanted to wear them tonight. (be)
are
4
The luggage on a plane __________ up a lot of room. (take)
takes
5
Your hair __________ really nice and shiny. (look)
looks
6
I could tell by the look on her face that the news __________ good. (not / be)
was not / wasn't
7
Oh, no! My money __________ in my other jacket! (be)
is
Exercise E
E Score: 0/10
Find ten mistakes in this passage and correct them. Write the correct word for each numbered mistake.
Newsflash!
1 'We interrupt your usual schedule to bring you (1) an important news. We are receiving 2 (2) informations about a spaceship that has landed outside the White House. The large 3 ship seems to be made of (3) glasses. Reports say that a short time ago aliens came out 4 of the craft. Eye-witnesses described them as short and said their clothes (4) was made 5 of metal and their (5) hairs was bright green. Strangely, one of them appeared to be 6 wearing (6) a jean. (7) Much people said that they seemed to be friendly. The President of the 7 United States is currently holding a meeting with the visitors in the hope that we can 8 exchange (8) knowledges. Police advice (9) are to stay indoors and under no circumstances 9 approach the spaceship. We will be back with (10) another news as soon as we can. And 10 now, back to your usual programme, Gardening for Beginners.'
1
an important news → correct word(s):
remove / important news
2
informations → correct word:
information
3
glasses (material) → correct word:
glass
4
clothes was made → correct word:
were
5
hairs → correct word:
hair
6
wearing a jean → correct word(s):
jeans
7
Much people → correct word:
Many
8
knowledges → correct word:
knowledge
9
advice are → correct word:
is
10
another news → correct word:
more
Exercise F
F Score: 0/8
Complete each second sentence using the word given, so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Write between two and five words in each gap.
1
Not many people came to the party. only
There __________ people at the party.
There __________ people at the party.
were only a few
2
The witness described the mugger to the police. a
The witness __________ of the mugger.
The witness __________ of the mugger.
gave a description
3
There isn't much sugar left. a
There __________ sugar left.
There __________ sugar left.
is only a little
4
I am thinking of becoming a firefighter when I leave school. brigade
I am thinking of __________ when I leave school.
I am thinking of __________ when I leave school.
joining the fire brigade
5
We were shocked by the news and didn't know what to do. shocking
The news __________ didn't know what to do.
The news __________ didn't know what to do.
was shocking and we
6
There aren't many good films out at the moment. only
There __________ good films out at the moment.
There __________ good films out at the moment.
are only a few
7
I didn't eat much dessert because I'm on a diet. only
I __________ dessert because I'm on a diet.
I __________ dessert because I'm on a diet.
only ate a little
8
You have lots of hats! lot
What __________ you have!
What __________ you have!
a lot of hats
Exercise G
G Score: 0/8
Match to make sentences.
A a little time to talk to you now.
B a few people recycle their rubbish.
C a few complaints from hotel guests recently.
D little money for luxuries.
E few people recycle their rubbish.
F very few complaints from hotel guests recently.
G a little money for luxuries.
H very little time to talk to you now.
B a few people recycle their rubbish.
C a few complaints from hotel guests recently.
D little money for luxuries.
E few people recycle their rubbish.
F very few complaints from hotel guests recently.
G a little money for luxuries.
H very little time to talk to you now.
1
I'm quite busy so I've got …
H
2
Happily, we have had …
F
3
My dad just got a good job so we have …
G
4
Pollution is improving now that …
B
5
My mum has lost her job so we have …
D
6
My lesson's been cancelled so I've got …
A
7
It's a shame that …
E
8
Unfortunately, we have had …
C
Exercise H
H Score: 0/12
Choose the correct answer.
1
If you have __________ time at the end of the exam, check your answers.
a little
2
Give me __________ minutes and I'll be ready.
a few
3
We've only got __________ milk left so get some when you go shopping.
a little
4
Just __________ practice every day and you'll soon be able to play the piano.
a little
5
We were disappointed that __________ of the members came to the youth club party.
few
6
Sprinkle __________ sugar on the strawberries.
a little
7
I suppose now I'm 43, I have __________ hope of playing football for England.
little
8
Could you help me with __________ exercises I don't understand?
a few
9
There's __________ coffee left, if anyone wants some.
a little
10
Becoming an astronaut is so demanding that __________ people manage it.
few
11
I'll meet you in half an hour – I've got __________ e-mails to write first.
a few
12
Many people feel there's __________ point in voting, even in a general election.
little
Exercise I
I Score: 0/22
Write an article in each gap where necessary. If an article is not necessary, write a dash (−).
Ray: Hello?
Sandy: Hi. Is that Ray? It's (1) __________ Sandy.
Ray: Oh, hi! How was (2) __________ film?
Sandy: Great! We took (3) __________ taxi to (4) __________ cinema and (5) __________ taxi driver got lost, so we almost missed (6) __________ start. What about you? What did you do (7) __________ last night?
Ray: Oh, I just stayed at (8) __________ home. I listened to (9) __________ music for a while and then watched (10) __________ news.
Sandy: Oh, yes? So what's happening in (11) __________ world? Anything I should know about?
Ray: Well, I know you don't like (12) __________ politics, but there was (13) __________ interesting report on (14) __________ Asia. It gave me (15) __________ few ideas for (16) __________ geography essay we were talking about (17) __________ other day.
Sandy: Ah, right. Anything else?
Ray: Nothing important. Just that (18) __________ lead singer of your favourite band is getting married – to (19) __________ actress, (20) __________ one who was in that film …
Sandy: What?! Why didn't you tell me? I have to check this out on (21) __________ Internet! See you at (22) __________ school tomorrow. Bye!
Ray: Okay. Bye.
1
It's __________ Sandy.
−
2
How was __________ film?
the
3
We took __________ taxi…
a
4
…taxi to __________ cinema…
the
5
…and __________ taxi driver got lost…
the
6
…we almost missed __________ start.
the
7
What did you do __________ last night?
−
8
…stayed at __________ home.
−
9
I listened to __________ music…
−
10
…then watched __________ news.
the
11
…happening in __________ world?
the
12
…you don't like __________ politics…
−
13
…there was __________ interesting report…
an
14
…report on __________ Asia.
−
15
It gave me __________ few ideas…
a
16
…ideas for __________ geography essay…
the
17
…talking about __________ other day.
the
18
Just that __________ lead singer…
the
19
…married – to __________ actress…
an
20
…actress, __________ one who was in that film…
the
21
…check this out on __________ Internet!
the
22
See you at __________ school tomorrow.
−
Exercise J
J Score: 0/10
Rewrite the sentences correctly, adding articles where necessary.
1
We went to theatre last night and saw great play, although some of acting was bit poor.
We went to the theatre last night and saw a great play, although some of the acting was a bit poor.
2
Give me ring tomorrow before I go to work and we'll arrange to meet at office.
Give me a ring tomorrow before I go to work and we'll arrange to meet at the office.
3
Prime minister told reporter that government wanted to pass law banning hunting.
The Prime Minister told a reporter that the government wanted to pass a law banning hunting.
4
I asked hotel manager where pool was and she directed me to seventh floor.
I asked the hotel manager where the pool was and she directed me to the seventh floor.
5
They said on news on radio that Mount Vesuvius, volcano that destroyed Pompeii, could erupt again.
They said on the news on the radio that Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed Pompeii, could erupt again.
6
Car has revolutionised transport and is absolutely vital to economy of most countries.
The car has revolutionised transport and is absolutely vital to the economy of most countries.
7
Judge read jury's verdict aloud and then sentenced accused to five years in prison.
The judge read the jury's verdict aloud and then sentenced the accused to five years in prison.
8
Job in media can be quite stressful because of pressure you are under to do things on time.
A job in the media can be quite stressful because of the pressure you are under to do things on time.
9
Very few people in 19th century went to school or university and most started work at very young age.
Very few people in the 19th century went to school or university and most started work at a very young age.
10
I have little free time since I gave up karate, so I'm thinking of trying new hobby, like learning musical instrument.
I have little free time since I gave up karate, so I'm thinking of trying a new hobby, like learning a musical instrument.
Học tiếp bài khác
Xem tất cả Grammar B2
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