IELTS Grammar Skills · 3
Articles: a, an, the
Tiny words, big effect: missing or extra articles are among the most common errors examiners see.
1a / an
One thing, not a specific one, or the first time you mention it. Only with singular countable nouns.
I live in a small town. It has a big park.
an before a vowel sound: an hour, an MBA but a university, a one-way street
2the
A specific thing: we both know which one.
- Mentioned before: … a big park. The park is free.
- Only one exists: the sun, the internet
- Superlatives: the highest, the most popular
- Some countries: the UK, the USA, the Philippines
3No article
Plural or uncountable nouns used in general:
Children need sleep. Pollution is a serious problem.
Most countries and cities, languages, school subjects, sports and meals: Canada, Spanish, maths, football, lunch
4Choose in 3 steps
- Singular and countable? It always needs a word in front: a, an, the, my, this …
- Do we both know which one? Use the. If not, use a / an.
- Plural or uncountable, in general? Use no article.
5Writing Task 1: phrases to learn by heart
6Mistakes that lower your score
Pollution is serious problem.→Pollution is a serious problem.A singular countable noun needs an article.
The pollution is a big problem in the society.→Pollution is a big problem in society.General ideas: no article.
Number of tourists rose in 2015.→The number of tourists rose in 2015.
I need an information.→I need some information.Uncountable: information, advice, research, furniture, equipment.