PRESENTATION OF A GRAMMAR

STRUCTURE: Indefinite and

definite article

Prepared by M. M.
 Motivation Stage

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
What do you see in the picture?
What are/were the two women doing?
Do you like to shop?
Where do you usually shop?
Do you use online stores?
Which do you prefer: traditional or web stores?
Presentation Stage
pupils read the text and
discuss the content with the
teacher
the teacher asks the pupils
to find examples of definite
and indefinite articles in the
text (beforehand revise the
knowledge on which are the
indefinite and definite articles)
the teacher asks the pupils
to find examples of when
there is no article

Source: New Headway Pre-

Intermediate SB, OUP 2006
 Sample sentences definite &
indefinite article
Pupils provide sample sentences, the
teacher writes them on the BB/WB:
Where can you buy a football kicked by
David Beckham or an old Learjet?
On eBay of course the worlds first
global online market place.
The football sold for 18,500, and
someone paid $4,9 million for the jet!
All you need is a computer and a little
time.
 Sample sentences no
article
Where can you buy a football kicked by
David Beckham or an old Learjet?
You can buy everything stamps,
jewellery, art, clothing, old cars,
and anything strange and interesting.
Pierre Omidyar, a French-Iranian
computer scientist, invented eBay in
California in 1995.
Teacher asks pupils if they can form a
rule about the use of articles in English
based on the examples from the text.
Language Analysis
Articles a/an and the
1. the indefinite article a/an is used with
singular, countable nouns to refer to a
thing or idea for the first time (indicate
to examples from the text!)
2. the definite article the is used with
singular and plural countable and
uncountable nouns when both the
speaker and the listener know the
thing or idea already (indicate to
examples from the text!)
Language Analysis
The indefinite article is used:
1. With professions
Im a teacher.
Shes a doctor.
2. With some expressions of quantity
a pair of a little a couple of a few
3. In exclamations with what + a count
noun
What a lovely day!
What a pity!
Language Analysis
The definite article is used:
1. before seas, rivers, hotels, pubs,
theatres, museums, and newspapers
the Atlantic the times the Ritz
the British Museum
2. if there is only one of something
the sun the Queen the Government
3. with superlative adjectives
Hes the richest man in the world.
Janes the oldest in the class.
Language Analysis
There is no article:
1. before plural and uncountable nouns
when talking about things in general
I like potatoes.
Milk is good for you.
2. before countries, towns, streets,
languages, magazines, meals, airports,
stations and mountains
I had lunch with Paul.
I bought Cosmopolitan at Paddington
Station.
Language Analysis
There is no article:
3. Before some places and with some form of
transportation
at home in/to bed by car
at/to school by bus by plane
at/to work by train on foot
She goes to work by bus.
4. In exclamations with what + uncountable
nouns
What beautiful weather!
What loud music!
Controlled and guided practice
Complete the sentences with a/an, the or nothing (-).
1. I bought ______ unusual football on ______ eBay. David
Beckham kicked it in ______ 2004 European Cup Final!
2. There was ______ old Learjet for sale! ______ famous
film star paid ______ lot of money for it.
3. ______ film star who bought ______ Learjet collects
______ airplanes.
4. eBay is ______ very clever idea. Its ______ biggest
market ______ world.
5. I dont go out to ______ work. I work at ______ home on
my computer.
6. I do all my shopping on ______ internet. What ______
great way to shop.
Controlled and guided practice
Work with a partner. Find one mistake in each
sentence.
1. Hes postman, so he has breakfast at 4 a.m.
2. The love is more important than money.
3. I come to school by the bus.
4. Im reading one good book at the moment.
5. Wheres Jack? In a kitchen.
6. I live in centre of town, near the hospital.
7. My parents bought the lovely house in the
country.
8. I dont eat the brad because I dont like it.
 Free practice
TASK: Make two sentences, one with the
definite article the, and one without, using
the words in the box.

ice cream cats chocolate

money
Example: I think ice-cream is delicious.
The ice-cream in this caf is
delicious.