Articles a/an - the - Ø
Look at the following example from the text What makes a good university in the 21st century?
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Until recently Ø students needed to weigh up four key criteria when looking for a good university: Ø course quality, Ø university reputation, Ø location and Ø accommodation costs. |
Jusqu’à récemment, les étudiants devaient considérer quatre critères clé lorsqu’ils cherchaient une bonne université: la qualité des cours, la réputation de l’université, la situation géographique et les frais d’hébergement |
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However, Ø fee rises and Ø changing attitudes towards Ø university have transformed Ø students into Ø more critical consumers of Ø higher education. |
Cependant, l’augmentation des frais et le changement d’attitude envers l’université ont transformé les étudiants en Ø consommateurs plus critiques de l’enseignement supérieur |
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The good news is attitudes towards Ø Clearing are also changing. |
La bonne nouvelle est que l’attitude face au processus de sélection est aussi en train de changer. |
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The process now offers Ø students with a valuable opportunity to think again and question whether they’re on the right track |
Le processus offre dorénavant aux étudiants une précieuse opportunité de revoir leur jugement et de se demander s’ils sont sur la bonne voie |
♦ The problem French people encounter is that in French , there is ALWAYS an article before a noun, which is not the case in English! Actually, more often than not, you have no article.
♦ Besides, the same article in French is not always translated by the same article in English, it depends on the context.
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A/AN |
THE |
Ø |
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a/an is used to talk about something that is not specific. a/an + noun refers to something/someone that is not known by the person you talk to.
➧ Before unspecified singular countable nouns (first occurrence) Sam works in an office. What else can you offer me besides a degree? A recent survey found that Make sure your potential university has an active campus
➧With the name of professions Mr Smith is a lecturer and Mrs Taylor is a librarian. He works as an engineer
➧In expressions of measurement and in fractions He has chemistry labs twice a week. A third of graduate vacancies are filled
➧Before a noun to mean all things of the same type when looking for a good university ... A great scientist is a man or a woman who is able to see the potential of unexpected outcomes. |
The is used to talk about a specific person, thing or one you already know. The + noun means that people know what you talk about: ➧Either it is defined by the context e.g. a- They need to ask the question to universities: “What else can you offer me besides a degree?” b- You have the attitudes and aptitude needed to work for them. c- Take a look and see whether the universities that you are considering offer opportunities like these d- Germany (...) has the advantage of being an important business hub e- Ask at any university fairs you attend what about the opportunities they could offer you
➧Or it is unique e.g. the Internet, the sun, the world
Proper nouns . names of geographical areas, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands, canals, and oceans The Arctic, the Thames, the Rocky Mountains . countries that have plural names or that include the words "republic", "kingdom", or "states" in their names The Netherlands, The USA, the United Kingdom . names of famous buildings, works of art, museums, or monuments The Eiffel Tower, the Globe |
Ø is used to talk about something in general
e.g. a- Students should ask themselves Ø questions when applying to university. b- Ø fee rises and Ø changing attitudes towards university c- Ø Universities like Nottingham, Loughborough and Lincoln have also been recognised for their relationships with start-ups
Proper nouns Proper nouns generally do not need any article: e.g. name of people or companies/firms According to research by Ø HSBC, Ø Germany is the least expensive study abroad destination and has the advantage of being an important business hub
Ø Helen Alkin, head of future talent recruitment at Ø Marks & Spencer told me recently that they are looking for well-rounded candidates |
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Plural or singular? Countable or uncountable? |
a/an is always used with a singular noun. |
The can be used with a singular (countable or uncountable) or a plural (countable) noun. |
Ø can be used with a singular (uncountable) or a plural (countable) noun. |
Adapted from Englisch Hilfen: Lesson “The” - Grammar exercises & Education First