Using “a” and “the” in everyday situations
· 1:29 · With Emma
Using “a” and “the” in everyday situations. Listen in slow, clear English with a transcript and vocabulary support.
Transcript
Vocabulary in this episode
- consonant sound
Use “a” before a consonant sound, as in “a university.”
A consonant sound is a speech sound made without a vowel sound. The first sound in “university” is like “you.”
- vowel sound
Use “an” before a vowel sound, as in “an hour.”
A vowel sound is a speech sound like “a,” “e,” or “o.” The “h” in “hour” is silent, so the word starts with a vowel sound.
- identify
Use “the” when your listener can identify which thing you mean.
Here, “identify” means know exactly which thing the speaker means.
- plural
For general statements, use a plural or uncountable noun without an article: “Dogs need water.”
A plural noun names more than one person or thing, such as “dogs.”
- uncountable noun
For general statements, use a plural or uncountable noun without an article: “Dogs need water.”
An uncountable noun names something not usually counted as separate items, such as “water.”
- countable noun
But a singular countable noun needs an article or another word before it.
A countable noun names something you can count as one or more items, such as “dog.”