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English Articles – 3 Simple Rules To Fix Common Grammar Mistakes & Errors


hello I’m Emma from English and in this

hello I’m Emma from English and in this lesson we are working on your English

lesson we are working on your English

lesson we are working on your English grammar specifically on how to use

grammar specifically on how to use

grammar specifically on how to use article now I know this is a lesson that

article now I know this is a lesson that

article now I know this is a lesson that you need to watch there are three

you need to watch there are three

you need to watch there are three English articles up and and za it is

English articles up and and za it is

English articles up and and za it is possible to have no article and using

possible to have no article and using

possible to have no article and using one or the other changes the meaning of

one or the other changes the meaning of

one or the other changes the meaning of your English sentences but more on that

your English sentences but more on that

your English sentences but more on that later

later

later articles are a challenging part of

articles are a challenging part of

articles are a challenging part of speaking English but they’re a really

speaking English but they’re a really

speaking English but they’re a really important part they give information

important part they give information

important part they give information about the noun that they come before

about the noun that they come before

about the noun that they come before using articles incorrectly can make your

using articles incorrectly can make your

using articles incorrectly can make your sentences confusing or sound strange and

sentences confusing or sound strange and

sentences confusing or sound strange and mistakes with articles are quite obvious

mistakes with articles are quite obvious

mistakes with articles are quite obvious to native speakers they probably won’t

to native speakers they probably won’t

to native speakers they probably won’t correct you but they’ll notice them even

correct you but they’ll notice them even

correct you but they’ll notice them even though you’ll probably be understood if

though you’ll probably be understood if

though you’ll probably be understood if you make mistakes with articles using

you make mistakes with articles using

you make mistakes with articles using the incorrect article is one of the most

the incorrect article is one of the most

the incorrect article is one of the most common errors that English learners make

common errors that English learners make

common errors that English learners make if you’ve ever emailed me or messaged me

if you’ve ever emailed me or messaged me

if you’ve ever emailed me or messaged me on Facebook I’ve probably seen it in

on Facebook I’ve probably seen it in

on Facebook I’ve probably seen it in your writing – these mistakes happen all

your writing – these mistakes happen all

your writing – these mistakes happen all the time without you even realizing it

the time without you even realizing it

the time without you even realizing it but there is a reason why these kind of

but there is a reason why these kind of

but there is a reason why these kind of mistakes are so common there are lots of

mistakes are so common there are lots of

mistakes are so common there are lots of different rules about how to use

different rules about how to use

different rules about how to use articles and lots of exceptions too so

articles and lots of exceptions too so

articles and lots of exceptions too so to make articles a little easier for you

to make articles a little easier for you

to make articles a little easier for you I’ve broken this lesson down into three

I’ve broken this lesson down into three

I’ve broken this lesson down into three main rules that you need to know about

main rules that you need to know about

main rules that you need to know about using English articles now I’m not going

using English articles now I’m not going

using English articles now I’m not going to teach you every rule about English

to teach you every rule about English

to teach you every rule about English articles I don’t want to scare you away

articles I don’t want to scare you away

articles I don’t want to scare you away so much that you never come back I’m

so much that you never come back I’m

so much that you never come back I’m going to teach you some

going to teach you some

going to teach you some principles that will help you to use

principles that will help you to use

principles that will help you to use articles better remember that articles

articles better remember that articles

articles better remember that articles are used with English nouns so nouns

are used with English nouns so nouns

are used with English nouns so nouns play an important part in your decision

play an important part in your decision

play an important part in your decision to use an article the type of noun is

to use an article the type of noun is

to use an article the type of noun is important there are two types of

important there are two types of

important there are two types of articles in English definite and

articles in English definite and

articles in English definite and indefinite and it’s probably easier for

indefinite and it’s probably easier for

indefinite and it’s probably easier for me to show you how they work

me to show you how they work

me to show you how they work this table will help to make it a little

this table will help to make it a little

this table will help to make it a little clearer thinking about English nouns we

clearer thinking about English nouns we

clearer thinking about English nouns we know that there are countable and

know that there are countable and

know that there are countable and uncountable nouns countable nouns can be

uncountable nouns countable nouns can be

uncountable nouns countable nouns can be singular or plural so there’s a lot to

singular or plural so there’s a lot to

singular or plural so there’s a lot to think about

think about

think about and it really affects how you use

and it really affects how you use

and it really affects how you use articles if a noun is singular and

articles if a noun is singular and

articles if a noun is singular and countable then you can use the

countable then you can use the

countable then you can use the indefinite article R or n the definite

indefinite article R or n the definite

indefinite article R or n the definite article the’ can be used with countable

article the’ can be used with countable

article the’ can be used with countable or uncountable nouns when a noun is

or uncountable nouns when a noun is

or uncountable nouns when a noun is plural so when there is more than one of

plural so when there is more than one of

plural so when there is more than one of that noun the definite article thus can

that noun the definite article thus can

that noun the definite article thus can be used and though we can’t use the

be used and though we can’t use the

be used and though we can’t use the indefinite singular articles are and and

indefinite singular articles are and and

indefinite singular articles are and and we can use some when we’re not being

we can use some when we’re not being

we can use some when we’re not being specific

specific

specific now this technically is not an article

now this technically is not an article

now this technically is not an article but if you’re using a plural noun and

but if you’re using a plural noun and

but if you’re using a plural noun and you’re not being specific some is the

you’re not being specific some is the

you’re not being specific some is the perfect choice so for the singular

perfect choice so for the singular

perfect choice so for the singular countable noun strawberry I can say our

countable noun strawberry I can say our

countable noun strawberry I can say our strawberry I can say the strawberry when

strawberry I can say the strawberry when

strawberry I can say the strawberry when I’m being specific if I’m using the

I’m being specific if I’m using the

I’m being specific if I’m using the plural form of that noun strawberries

plural form of that noun strawberries

plural form of that noun strawberries then I can use some if I’m not being

then I can use some if I’m not being

then I can use some if I’m not being specific

specific

specific I would like some strawberries please or

I would like some strawberries please or

I would like some strawberries please or I can use the the definite article with

I can use the the definite article with

I can use the the definite article with my plural now could you pass me the

my plural now could you pass me the

my plural now could you pass me the strawberries the difference between the

strawberries the difference between the

strawberries the difference between the definite and the indefinite articles is

definite and the indefinite articles is

definite and the indefinite articles is the difference between talking about a

the difference between talking about a

the difference between talking about a specific pen a unique pen or any pen at

specific pen a unique pen or any pen at

specific pen a unique pen or any pen at all it doesn’t matter

all it doesn’t matter

all it doesn’t matter like I said we’re going to focus on

like I said we’re going to focus on

like I said we’re going to focus on three main rule today learn these rules

three main rule today learn these rules

three main rule today learn these rules and you will choose the correct article

and you will choose the correct article

and you will choose the correct article most of the time the first rule explains

most of the time the first rule explains

most of the time the first rule explains when use the the definite article and

when use the the definite article and

when use the the definite article and when we use our or M the indefinite

when we use our or M the indefinite

when we use our or M the indefinite article the second rule filled with

article the second rule filled with

article the second rule filled with unique mound which usually require the

unique mound which usually require the

unique mound which usually require the definite articles and the third rule

definite articles and the third rule

definite articles and the third rule explains why we sometimes leave articles

explains why we sometimes leave articles

explains why we sometimes leave articles out if you do need an article when

out if you do need an article when

out if you do need an article when should you use an indefinite article and

should you use an indefinite article and

should you use an indefinite article and when should you use the definite article

when should you use the definite article

when should you use the definite article great question

great question

great question let’s talk about rule number one

let’s talk about rule number one

let’s talk about rule number one indefinite articles R and an are used

indefinite articles R and an are used

indefinite articles R and an are used when you first introduce someone to a

when you first introduce someone to a

when you first introduce someone to a noun it doesn’t matter if you’re

noun it doesn’t matter if you’re

noun it doesn’t matter if you’re speaking or writing when you first

speaking or writing when you first

speaking or writing when you first introduce a countable noun you need to

introduce a countable noun you need to

introduce a countable noun you need to use R or M then you can use the definite

use R or M then you can use the definite

use R or M then you can use the definite article after you have introduced the

article after you have introduced the

article after you have introduced the noun I want to demonstrate this for you

noun I want to demonstrate this for you

noun I want to demonstrate this for you with a very simple story I saw a person

with a very simple story I saw a person

with a very simple story I saw a person yesterday the person was sitting under a

yesterday the person was sitting under a

yesterday the person was sitting under a tree the tree was very tall the person

tree the tree was very tall the person

tree the tree was very tall the person stood up when they saw a cat the cat

stood up when they saw a cat the cat

stood up when they saw a cat the cat jumped on a wall to try and catch a bird

jumped on a wall to try and catch a bird

jumped on a wall to try and catch a bird but the bird flew off the wall in this

but the bird flew off the wall in this

but the bird flew off the wall in this example the noun

example the noun

example the noun person tree wall cat and bird all take

person tree wall cat and bird all take

person tree wall cat and bird all take the indefinite article but only when

the indefinite article but only when

the indefinite article but only when they’re first introduced after that we

they’re first introduced after that we

they’re first introduced after that we use the definite article every time this

use the definite article every time this

use the definite article every time this rule is about ensuring that the reader

rule is about ensuring that the reader

rule is about ensuring that the reader or the listener knows which specific

or the listener knows which specific

or the listener knows which specific noun you’re talking about as soon as

noun you’re talking about as soon as

noun you’re talking about as soon as you’ve made this clear to the person you

you’ve made this clear to the person you

you’ve made this clear to the person you can use the definite article every time

can use the definite article every time

can use the definite article every time you use it

you use it

you use it now we know which bird of all of the

now we know which bird of all of the

now we know which bird of all of the possible birds in the world that it

possible birds in the world that it

possible birds in the world that it could be we know which specific bird

could be we know which specific bird

could be we know which specific bird you’re talking about so we can use the

you’re talking about so we can use the

you’re talking about so we can use the definite article the second rule when a

definite article the second rule when a

definite article the second rule when a noun is unique use the definite article

noun is unique use the definite article

noun is unique use the definite article when something is unique there is only

when something is unique there is only

when something is unique there is only one of that thing that’s when we use the

one of that thing that’s when we use the

one of that thing that’s when we use the definite article the definite article is

definite article the definite article is

definite article the definite article is the the Sun is the president the Queen

the the Sun is the president the Queen

the the Sun is the president the Queen of England and the capital city are all

of England and the capital city are all

of England and the capital city are all examples of this there is only one of

examples of this there is only one of

examples of this there is only one of these nouns they’re unique this is a

these nouns they’re unique this is a

these nouns they’re unique this is a special tree for nouns that are well

special tree for nouns that are well

special tree for nouns that are well known by most people but it’s even true

known by most people but it’s even true

known by most people but it’s even true when the listener might not know the

when the listener might not know the

when the listener might not know the noun Hootie he’s the president of the

noun Hootie he’s the president of the

noun Hootie he’s the president of the United States he’s the CEO he’s the

United States he’s the CEO he’s the

United States he’s the CEO he’s the mayor compare it to who she she’s a

mayor compare it to who she she’s a

mayor compare it to who she she’s a member of parliament she’s an accountant

member of parliament she’s an accountant

member of parliament she’s an accountant she’s an engineer there is more than one

she’s an engineer there is more than one

she’s an engineer there is more than one of these nouns so that noun is not

of these nouns so that noun is not

of these nouns so that noun is not unique now I’m going to keep giving some

unique now I’m going to keep giving some

unique now I’m going to keep giving some more examples to rule number two and

more examples to rule number two and

more examples to rule number two and remember for Rule two we’re thinking

remember for Rule two we’re thinking

remember for Rule two we’re thinking about nouns that are unique there’s only

about nouns that are unique there’s only

about nouns that are unique there’s only one of these

one of these

one of these but this uniqueness is doesn’t need to

but this uniqueness is doesn’t need to

but this uniqueness is doesn’t need to be really obvious it can come through

be really obvious it can come through

be really obvious it can come through the context so for example a truck

the context so for example a truck

the context so for example a truck crashed into a tree the driver was not

crashed into a tree the driver was not

crashed into a tree the driver was not injured once we introduce the car we

injured once we introduce the car we

injured once we introduce the car we know by association that there could

know by association that there could

know by association that there could only be one driver because there was

only be one driver because there was

only be one driver because there was only one car or one truck mentioned so

only one car or one truck mentioned so

only one car or one truck mentioned so the driver is unique in the story

the driver is unique in the story

the driver is unique in the story there’s only one driver that we could

there’s only one driver that we could

there’s only one driver that we could possibly be talking about keep thinking

possibly be talking about keep thinking

possibly be talking about keep thinking about this idea of a unique now as we

about this idea of a unique now as we

about this idea of a unique now as we continue when you’re using superlative

continue when you’re using superlative

continue when you’re using superlative adjectives the best place the worst

adjectives the best place the worst

adjectives the best place the worst thing the fastest runner the tallest

thing the fastest runner the tallest

thing the fastest runner the tallest mountain the most interesting person

mountain the most interesting person

mountain the most interesting person I’ve met you need to use the definite

I’ve met you need to use the definite

I’ve met you need to use the definite article because there can only be one

article because there can only be one

article because there can only be one person place or thing that can be the

person place or thing that can be the

person place or thing that can be the fastest or the most expensive pole is

fastest or the most expensive pole is

fastest or the most expensive pole is taller than Steve and Greg but tom is

taller than Steve and Greg but tom is

taller than Steve and Greg but tom is taller than Paul and Adam is the tallest

taller than Paul and Adam is the tallest

taller than Paul and Adam is the tallest there are many boys who are taller than

there are many boys who are taller than

there are many boys who are taller than Greg but only one person can be the

Greg but only one person can be the

Greg but only one person can be the tallest that’s Adam also use the

tallest that’s Adam also use the

tallest that’s Adam also use the definite article some named things by

definite article some named things by

definite article some named things by naming them they become unique so for

naming them they become unique so for

naming them they become unique so for example the Himalayas the Amazon River

example the Himalayas the Amazon River

example the Himalayas the Amazon River the Indian Ocean the United Nations the

the Indian Ocean the United Nations the

the Indian Ocean the United Nations the Eiffel Tower the 8:06 but all of these

Eiffel Tower the 8:06 but all of these

Eiffel Tower the 8:06 but all of these nouns are unique but there are some

nouns are unique but there are some

nouns are unique but there are some exceptions like the names of people we

exceptions like the names of people we

exceptions like the names of people we don’t usually use an article the names

don’t usually use an article the names

don’t usually use an article the names of lakes and islands don’t usually use

of lakes and islands don’t usually use

of lakes and islands don’t usually use articles

articles

articles peepee island or Lake Victoria except

peepee island or Lake Victoria except

peepee island or Lake Victoria except when these nouns are plural like the

when these nouns are plural like the

when these nouns are plural like the Great Lakes or the Galapagos Islands

Great Lakes or the Galapagos Islands

Great Lakes or the Galapagos Islands these exceptions are what make articles

these exceptions are what make articles

these exceptions are what make articles very frustrating in English but don’t

very frustrating in English but don’t

very frustrating in English but don’t give up when you’re ordering things

give up when you’re ordering things

give up when you’re ordering things so when ordinal numbers like second if

so when ordinal numbers like second if

so when ordinal numbers like second if are used as adjectives for example the

are used as adjectives for example the

are used as adjectives for example the second time or as a third example or the

second time or as a third example or the

second time or as a third example or the fourth person to call so in other words

fourth person to call so in other words

fourth person to call so in other words once you place an order on an object

once you place an order on an object

once you place an order on an object they hold a unique position in that

they hold a unique position in that

they hold a unique position in that order and so you can use the definite

order and so you can use the definite

order and so you can use the definite article okay lastly why do we use an

article okay lastly why do we use an

article okay lastly why do we use an article with a noun

article with a noun

article with a noun sometimes and at other times we don’t

sometimes and at other times we don’t

sometimes and at other times we don’t use an article at all this is the third

use an article at all this is the third

use an article at all this is the third rule when we’re speaking about a noun in

rule when we’re speaking about a noun in

rule when we’re speaking about a noun in general we’re not being specific about

general we’re not being specific about

general we’re not being specific about which particular man will usually leave

which particular man will usually leave

which particular man will usually leave the article out and if it’s countable

the article out and if it’s countable

the article out and if it’s countable you need to use the plural form let’s

you need to use the plural form let’s

you need to use the plural form let’s use a countable noun with pen as an

use a countable noun with pen as an

use a countable noun with pen as an example when we’re talking about an

example when we’re talking about an

example when we’re talking about an actual pen or pens that really exists we

actual pen or pens that really exists we

actual pen or pens that really exists we use an article definite or indefinite in

use an article definite or indefinite in

use an article definite or indefinite in the following examples we’re speaking of

the following examples we’re speaking of

the following examples we’re speaking of specific or actual or real pens that

specific or actual or real pens that

specific or actual or real pens that exist can I borrow the pen that’s a

exist can I borrow the pen that’s a

exist can I borrow the pen that’s a specific pen the pen that’s on your desk

specific pen the pen that’s on your desk

specific pen the pen that’s on your desk singular and specific the pens are in

singular and specific the pens are in

singular and specific the pens are in your bag prep a plural noun right and

your bag prep a plural noun right and

your bag prep a plural noun right and with the definite article but we can

with the definite article but we can

with the definite article but we can also make general statements about pens

also make general statements about pens

also make general statements about pens and when we do we speak generally

and when we do we speak generally

and when we do we speak generally this is when we can leave the article

this is when we can leave the article

this is when we can leave the article app for example I prefer to use black

app for example I prefer to use black

app for example I prefer to use black pen I never have pens when I need them

pen I never have pens when I need them

pen I never have pens when I need them I bought pens for you to use it is

I bought pens for you to use it is

I bought pens for you to use it is absolutely possible to use an article or

absolutely possible to use an article or

absolutely possible to use an article or leave it out but the meaning will be

leave it out but the meaning will be

leave it out but the meaning will be different in each case I really like

different in each case I really like

different in each case I really like eating cake this is a general statement

eating cake this is a general statement

eating cake this is a general statement about cake could be any cake but compare

about cake could be any cake but compare

about cake could be any cake but compare it to I really like the cake you made

it to I really like the cake you made

it to I really like the cake you made it’s a statement about a specific cake a

it’s a statement about a specific cake a

it’s a statement about a specific cake a cake that I’ve actually eaten when

cake that I’ve actually eaten when

cake that I’ve actually eaten when speaking generally about a countable

speaking generally about a countable

speaking generally about a countable noun you need to use the plural form so

noun you need to use the plural form so

noun you need to use the plural form so for example I am allergic to

for example I am allergic to

for example I am allergic to strawberries

strawberries

strawberries so strawberries in general Australians

so strawberries in general Australians

so strawberries in general Australians like to eat eggs for breakfast just eggs

like to eat eggs for breakfast just eggs

like to eat eggs for breakfast just eggs in general not specific eggs if you’re

in general not specific eggs if you’re

in general not specific eggs if you’re talking about something that is

talking about something that is

talking about something that is uncountable like information or

uncountable like information or

uncountable like information or knowledge or equipment then just use the

knowledge or equipment then just use the

knowledge or equipment then just use the noun in its original form because

noun in its original form because

noun in its original form because obviously it doesn’t have a plural form

obviously it doesn’t have a plural form

obviously it doesn’t have a plural form so for example the information is

so for example the information is

so for example the information is available at the counter and that’s

available at the counter and that’s

available at the counter and that’s specific information something that

specific information something that

specific information something that we’ve already been talking about

we’ve already been talking about

we’ve already been talking about information is available at the counter

information is available at the counter

information is available at the counter is a very general statement general

is a very general statement general

is a very general statement general information okay I know that that was a

information okay I know that that was a

information okay I know that that was a big lesson and a lot to take in you

big lesson and a lot to take in you

big lesson and a lot to take in you should probably watch it again to really

should probably watch it again to really

should probably watch it again to really let all of the information sink in I’ve

let all of the information sink in I’ve

let all of the information sink in I’ve made a cheat sheet under worksheet

made a cheat sheet under worksheet

made a cheat sheet under worksheet that’s going to help you to practice

that’s going to help you to practice

that’s going to help you to practice using what you learned in this lesson

using what you learned in this lesson

using what you learned in this lesson you can download it right here but

you can download it right here but

you can download it right here but before you do go there let’s just go

before you do go there let’s just go

before you do go there let’s just go over those three in

over those three in

over those three in rules again just to make sure you

rules again just to make sure you

rules again just to make sure you remember them the first rule explains

remember them the first rule explains

remember them the first rule explains when we use that and when we use our and

when we use that and when we use our and

when we use that and when we use our and and the definite and the indefinite

and the definite and the indefinite

and the definite and the indefinite articles remember the story about the

articles remember the story about the

articles remember the story about the person and the cat and the bird when you

person and the cat and the bird when you

person and the cat and the bird when you are introducing something that is

are introducing something that is

are introducing something that is probably unknown to the listener or the

probably unknown to the listener or the

probably unknown to the listener or the reader you need to use our and and or n

reader you need to use our and and or n

reader you need to use our and and or n then any time after that you can use the

then any time after that you can use the

then any time after that you can use the the second rule deals with unique nouns

the second rule deals with unique nouns

the second rule deals with unique nouns which usually use the definite article

which usually use the definite article

which usually use the definite article now I gave you lots of different

now I gave you lots of different

now I gave you lots of different examples about how nouns can be unique

examples about how nouns can be unique

examples about how nouns can be unique and we also talked about how the should

and we also talked about how the should

and we also talked about how the should usually be used with ordinal numbers

usually be used with ordinal numbers

usually be used with ordinal numbers when their adjectives the third rule

when their adjectives the third rule

when their adjectives the third rule explains why we sometimes leave articles

explains why we sometimes leave articles

explains why we sometimes leave articles out that’s when we’re talking generally

out that’s when we’re talking generally

out that’s when we’re talking generally about something now remember that these

about something now remember that these

about something now remember that these three rules are great but their general

three rules are great but their general

three rules are great but their general rule they work most of the time and

rule they work most of the time and

rule they work most of the time and fortunately there will always be some

fortunately there will always be some

fortunately there will always be some exceptions with articles but don’t lose

exceptions with articles but don’t lose

exceptions with articles but don’t lose hope these three rules are going to help

hope these three rules are going to help

hope these three rules are going to help you make better choices about using

you make better choices about using

you make better choices about using English articles so that you can really

English articles so that you can really

English articles so that you can really improve your English grammar don’t

improve your English grammar don’t

improve your English grammar don’t forget to download the worksheet up here

forget to download the worksheet up here

forget to download the worksheet up here the all English worksheets are great

the all English worksheets are great

the all English worksheets are great because I’ll also send you a bonus audio

because I’ll also send you a bonus audio

because I’ll also send you a bonus audio guide of me explaining the answers for

guide of me explaining the answers for

guide of me explaining the answers for you so if you do get any of them wrong

you so if you do get any of them wrong

you so if you do get any of them wrong you’ll know exactly why to keep

you’ll know exactly why to keep

you’ll know exactly why to keep practicing English grammar check out

practicing English grammar check out

practicing English grammar check out this lesson here and to improve your

this lesson here and to improve your

this lesson here and to improve your pronunciation and your speaking skills

pronunciation and your speaking skills

pronunciation and your speaking skills try my imitation lessons right here I

try my imitation lessons right here I

try my imitation lessons right here I hope that you enjoyed this lesson

hope that you enjoyed this lesson

hope that you enjoyed this lesson and I will see you again next week for

and I will see you again next week for

and I will see you again next week for the next slide

the next slide

the next slide bye for now

”

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