LESSON 5

NOUNS
INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A/ AN
QUANTIFIERS: SOME, MANY, MUCH , A LOT OF ETC.
DEFINITE ARTICLE ‘’THE’’ (SUMMARY)

We use the definite article in front of a noun:

• when we believe the hearer/reader knows exactly what we are referring to.
• because there is only one: The Pope is visiting Russia.
• This is why we use the definite article with a superlative adjective: He is the tallest boy in the class.
• because we have already mentioned it
• to say something about all the things referred to by a noun:
The wolf is not really a dangerous animal (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals)
The kangaroo is found only in Australia (= Kangaroos are found only in Australia)
• to talk about musical instruments: Joe plays the piano really well.(= Joe can play any piano)
• to refer to a system or service: How long does it take on the train?
• with adjectives like rich, poor, elderly, unemployed to talk about groups of people: Life can be very hard for the poor.
We do use the definite article with:
• countries whose names include words like kingdom, states or republic: the United Kingdom; the United States; the People’s
Republic of China.
• countries which have plural nouns as their names: the Netherlands; the Philippines
• geographical features, such as mountain ranges, groups of islands, rivers, seas, oceans and canals:
the Himalayas; the Canaries; the Atlantic; the Atlantic Ocean; the Amazon; the Panama Canal.
• newspapers: The Times; The Washington Post
• well known buildings or works of art: the Empire State Building; the Taj Mahal; the Mona Lisa; the Sunflowers
• organisations: the United Nations; the Seamen’s Union
• hotels, pubs and restaurants: the Ritz; the Ritz Hotel; the King’s Head; the Déjà Vu
*Note: We do not use the definite article if the name of the hotel or restaurant is the name of the owner, e.g.,Brown’s; Brown’s
Hotel; Morel’s; Morel’s Restaurant, etc.
• families: the Obamas; the Jacksons
 USAGE OF INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A SUMMARY
When do we use A or An?
• The number one rule is this: if a word is countable (e.g. one book, two books), you must always use an article (or my,
his,etc.):
• Never use a or an with a word that is plural (e.g. books, trees) or uncountable (e.g. water, advice)
• We often use a when we mention something for the first time, and then change to the when it is clear which thing we are
talking about: e.g He was talking to a man. The man was laughing.
Few exceptions:
• We don’t use a/an before the names of meals: We had lunch at noon.
• We don’t use a/an before words like school, prison, or college when we are talking about them in a general way: I hope to go
to college.
• With the word ‘hospital’, there is a difference between British and American English:
My brother’s in hospital (UK) / in the hospital (US).
• We use the before the names of shops or places where we go for services when they are the ones we usually go to:
I need to go to the supermarket. / She went to the doctor’s.

* For Uncountable nouns we use quantifiers not a/an:

some, a lot of, much, a bit of, a great deal of or the exact measurement like a cup of, a bag of,
 INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A/ AN (EXTRA)
The article ’’A’’ is used before singular, countable nouns, which begin with consonant sounds.
• He is a teacher.
• She doesn't own a car.
• I saw a bear at the zoo.
The article ’’AN’’ is used before singular, countable nouns, which begin with vowel sounds (a,e,i,o,u), or with a
mute h.
• He is an actor.
• She didn't get an invitation.
• I saw an eagle at the zoo.
• An hour contains 60 minutes.
 Remember that A(AN) means "one" or "a single". You cannot use A(AN) with plural nouns.
• I saw a bears in Yellowstone National Park. Not Correct
• I saw bears in Yellowstone National Park. Correct
Use AN before words such as "hour" which sound like they start with a vowel~, even if the first letter is a consonant.
Also use AN before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a vowel, such as "F". Remember, it is the
sound not the spelling which is important. For example, "F" is pronounced "eff" like it starts with an "E".
• I only have an hour for lunch. Sounds like "au-er".
• Does his name begin with an "F"? Sounds like "eff“
 A AND AN – DIFFERENCES

• A: is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound.

Examples:
a horse, a cat, a European, a hole, a useless object, a university, a dog, a cat etc.

• An: is used before a word beginning with a vowel sound.

Examples:
an egg, an elephant, an honest man, an animal, an hour etc.
In English, some nouns are considered uncountable such as: information, air, advice, salt and fun. We do not use A(AN) with
these uncountable nouns.
• She gives a good advice. Not Correct
• She gives good advice. Correct
Uncountable nouns are not counted in English. This usually has to do with the way English speakers think of these nouns. We
often picture these nouns as a single concept or one big thing, hard to divide. Generally, we do not use plural forms of these
words; however some of these words do end in "s", so don't get confused.
• Mack drinks a lot of water.
• Cindy gives great advice.
• Paul enjoys politics. Ends with "s" but uncountable
Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:
• Liquids and Gases: water/ coffee/ milk/air/ oxygen
• Solid and Granular Substances: wood/ metal/cheese/ sand/ rice
• Energy Words and Forces: electricity/ sunshine/ radiation/heat/ magnetism
• Subjects: French/ chemistry/ economics/ science/ math
• Information and Abstract Concepts: information/ advice/ education/ democracy/ intelligence
QUANTIFIERS
Which quantifiers are typically used with which kind of nouns:
• Singular nouns: each, every, another, either, neither, the whole, the entire
• Plural nouns: many, (a) few), both, several, most, more, a couple of, all, each of, neither of
• Uncountable nouns: much, more, (a) little, a bit of, a great deal of, too much/too little
• Both countable and uncountable: some, any, no, a lot of, lots of, most, half, plenty of, enough, plenty, enough,
*someused in positive sentences
*Any used in questions and negative sentences and in positive sentences to mean it doesn’t matter which Any university
student will tell you that.
*Each used when there are 2 or more - *Every (each and every)for 3 or more
*Each can be used when there are only two things
*Little/few: have negative connotation  We have little time (probably not enough)
*A little/ a few have a positive connotation We do have a little time to spare
 Choice of quantifiers often depends on the level of formality :
- few/little/no = formal
- not many, not much, not a lot, lots, =informal
 Few people are aware of the local issues- Not a lot of people are aware…
Sometimes in English, we do use uncountable nouns in plural forms. This is most commonly done with liquids and substances. It
usually takes on the meaning of "cups of", "bottles of" or "types of".
• We'll have two coffees. Cups of coffee
• I bought three waters. Bottles of water
• The company produces two leathers. Types of leather

There are certain words which have multiple meanings. It is possible for one meaning to be countable and the other to be
uncountable. Take for example the word "light":
• Examples:
• I couldn't see anything because there was no light. Uncountable noun
• The Christmas tree was covered with hundreds of lights. Countable noun
• Generally, the rules are still the same. The first use of "light" is a form of energy. The second use of "light" means "small light
bulbs", which are normal countable objects.
BASIC RULES OF SOME/ANY
• SOME
1. Affirmatives: There are some people waiting outside.
2. Questions +”yes”: Would you like some orange juice?
3. Requests: May I have some tea?
4. (=certain): Some people believe everything
5. Some=several: I haven’t phoned my uncle for some years.

• ANY
1. Negatives: I don’t want any sugar.
2. Uncertain questions: Do you have any money on you?
3. With “hardly”, etc.: There’s hardly any rain.
4. With “at all”: I haven’t any idea at all.
5. After “if”: Buy some apples if you see any.
6. Any=it doesn’t matter who or which: Any fool knows the right answer.
 BASIC USES OF “MUCH” AND “MANY”/ A LOT OF (LOTS OF
1. We use much with singular uncountable nouns: much money.
2. We use many with plural countable nouns: many trees.
 in negative statements:
There isn’t much space in this flat.
There aren’t many pandas in Greece.
 in questions:
• Is there much demand for silk stoking?
• Will there be many guests at the party?
 in formal statements:
• Much money is spent for shopping.
• Many teachers retire early.

3. We use a lot of with plural countable or singular uncountable nouns: a lot of books.
1. in the affirmative sentences:
• She spends a lot of money on clothes.
• There were such a lot of people in the shops.
2. in negative statements for emphasis:
• I haven’t got a lot of time for people like him.
 “LITTLE/A LITTLE” AND “FEW/A FEW”
 We use few and a few with plural countable nouns: a few friends, few friends.
 We use little and a little with uncountable nouns: a little time, little time.
• 1. A little means “some but not much”, “a small quantity”: He knows a little French.
• 2. A few – “a small number”: We are going away for a few days

Compare:
• I’ve got a little money (=some, but not much)
• I’ve got little money (= nearly no)
• I’ve got a few friends (=some, but not many)
• I’ve got few friends (=nearly no)
 LET’S PRACTICE

Use: Any, a lot of, many, few, much

• 1. I know old Mr. Higgins has ...... money.

• 2. There aren’t …... portraits of Shakespeare.
• 3. Don’t be discouraged! ..... have failed to run the marathon.
• 4. Take as …... of these tiles as you want.
• 5. …... was said about it.
• 6. How …... frames are you going to buy?
• 7. If you have …... news call me back.
• 8. He is a man of …... Words