Before almost every noun, English asks you to make a choice: a, an, the, some, many, or nothing at all. Three questions settle most of these choices. Two are about the noun itself, and one is about what your listener already knows.
关于本指南: 冠词与限定词
有两件不同的事决定名词前面用哪个词。有些选择取决于名词本身：它是可数还是不可数，是单数还是复数？另一些取决于读者已经知道什么：它是否已被提及，读者能否判断你指的是哪一个？本指南分为五个部分，与诊断测试的五个部分完全对应。
你可以先做诊断测验，看看这个主题的哪些部分需要复习，也可以直接进入练习活动，其中包含复习幻灯片。
本指南本身为英文。这些翻译只是额外提供的便利，可能不够完美。
このガイドについて: 冠詞と限定詞
名詞の前にどの語を置くかは、2 つの異なる要素で決まります。1 つは名詞そのものによるもので、可算か不可算か、単数か複数かです。もう 1 つは読み手がすでに知っていることによるもので、すでに話題に出たか、どれのことか分かるかです。このガイドは 5 つのパートで、診断テストの 5 つのパートと完全に対応しています。
まず診断テストを受けて、このテーマのどの部分を復習すべきか確認することもできますし、復習スライドを含む練習アクティビティにそのまま進むこともできます。
このガイド自体は英語です。これらの翻訳は補助として提供しているもので、完全とは限りません。
이 가이드 소개: 관사와 한정사
명사 앞에 어떤 단어가 올지는 두 가지 요소로 정해집니다. 하나는 명사 자체에 달려 있습니다. 셀 수 있는지, 단수인지 복수인지입니다. 다른 하나는 독자가 이미 아는 것에 달려 있습니다. 이미 언급되었는지, 어느 것인지 알 수 있는지입니다. 이 가이드는 다섯 부분으로 되어 있으며, 진단 테스트의 다섯 부분과 정확히 일치합니다.
먼저 진단 퀴즈로 이 주제에서 복습이 필요한 부분을 확인해도 되고, 복습 슬라이드가 포함된 연습 활동으로 바로 들어가도 됩니다.
가이드 자체는 영어로 되어 있습니다. 이 번역은 부가적으로 제공되는 것이며 완벽하지 않을 수 있습니다.
Giới thiệu hướng dẫn này: Mạo từ và từ hạn định
Hai yếu tố khác nhau quyết định từ nào đứng trước danh từ. Một số lựa chọn phụ thuộc vào chính danh từ: nó đếm được hay không, số ít hay số nhiều? Số khác phụ thuộc vào điều người đọc đã biết: nó đã được nhắc đến chưa, họ có biết bạn nói đến cái nào không? Hướng dẫn này gồm năm phần, khớp chính xác với năm phần của bài kiểm tra chẩn đoán.
Bạn có thể bắt đầu bằng bài kiểm tra chẩn đoán để biết phần nào cần ôn lại, hoặc vào thẳng các hoạt động luyện tập, trong đó có cả slide ôn tập.
Đọc hướng dẫn bằng tiếng Việt →
Bản hướng dẫn này được viết bằng tiếng Anh. Các bản dịch chỉ là phần hỗ trợ thêm và có thể chưa hoàn hảo.
इस गाइड के बारे में: आर्टिकल और निर्धारक
संज्ञा से पहले कौन-सा शब्द आएगा, यह दो अलग बातें तय करती हैं। कुछ चुनाव संज्ञा पर निर्भर हैं: वह गणनीय है या नहीं, एकवचन है या बहुवचन? दूसरे इस पर निर्भर हैं कि आपका पाठक पहले से क्या जानता है: क्या उसका ज़िक्र हो चुका है, क्या वह समझ सकता है कि आप कौन-सा कह रहे हैं? इस गाइड के पाँच भाग हैं, जो निदान परीक्षा के पाँच भागों से ठीक मेल खाते हैं।
आप निदान क्विज़ से शुरू करके जान सकते हैं कि इस विषय के कौन-से भाग दोहराने चाहिए, या सीधे अभ्यास गतिविधियों में जा सकते हैं, जिनमें दोहराव की स्लाइडें भी हैं।
गाइड स्वयं अंग्रेज़ी में है। ये अनुवाद अतिरिक्त सुविधा के रूप में हैं और पूरी तरह सटीक न भी हों।
نبذة عن هذا الدليل: أدوات التعريف والتنكير والمحددات
يحدد أمران مختلفان أي كلمة تأتي قبل الاسم. بعض الاختيارات تعتمد على الاسم نفسه: هل هو معدود، مفرد أم جمع؟ وبعضها يعتمد على ما يعرفه القارئ أصلًا: هل ذُكر من قبل، وهل يستطيع أن يعرف أيها تقصد؟ يتكون هذا الدليل من خمسة أجزاء تطابق تمامًا الأجزاء الخمسة في الاختبار التشخيصي.
يمكنك البدء بالاختبار التشخيصي لمعرفة الأجزاء التي تحتاج إلى مراجعة، أو الانتقال مباشرة إلى أنشطة التدريب، وتشمل شرائح مراجعة.
الدليل نفسه بالإنجليزية. هذه الترجمات مجرد خدمة إضافية وقد لا تكون دقيقة تمامًا.
Об этом руководстве: Артикли и определители
Два разных фактора определяют, какое слово ставится перед существительным. Одни выборы зависят от самого существительного: исчисляемое ли оно, единственное или множественное число? Другие зависят от того, что читатель уже знает: упоминалось ли это, может ли он понять, о каком именно предмете речь? В этом руководстве пять частей, и они точно соответствуют пяти частям диагностического теста.
Можно начать с диагностического теста, чтобы узнать, какие части темы стоит повторить, или сразу перейти к упражнениям, в которые входят слайды для повторения.
Читать руководство на русском →
Само руководство написано на английском. Эти переводы — дополнительная помощь, и они могут быть неидеальными.
Acerca de esta guía: Artículos y determinantes
Dos cosas distintas deciden qué palabra va delante de un sustantivo. Algunas elecciones dependen del propio sustantivo: ¿es contable, singular o plural? Otras dependen de lo que tu lector ya sabe: ¿se ha mencionado ya?, ¿puede saber a cuál te refieres? Esta guía tiene cinco partes, y coinciden exactamente con las cinco partes del diagnóstico.
Puedes empezar con el cuestionario de diagnóstico para saber qué partes del tema conviene repasar, o ir directamente a las actividades de práctica, que incluyen diapositivas de repaso.
La guía en sí está en inglés. Estas traducciones son un añadido de cortesía y pueden no ser perfectas.
À propos de ce guide: Articles et déterminants
Deux éléments différents décident du mot placé devant un nom. Certains choix dépendent du nom lui-même : est-il dénombrable, singulier ou pluriel ? D'autres dépendent de ce que votre lecteur sait déjà : en a-t-on déjà parlé, peut-il savoir duquel vous parlez ? Ce guide comporte cinq parties, qui correspondent exactement aux cinq parties du diagnostic.
Vous pouvez commencer par le quiz de diagnostic pour savoir quelles parties du sujet réviser, ou passer directement aux activités d'entraînement, qui comprennent des diapositives de révision.
Le guide lui-même est en anglais. Ces traductions sont un complément offert et peuvent ne pas être parfaites.
Sobre este guia: Artigos e determinantes
Duas coisas diferentes decidem qual palavra vem antes de um substantivo. Algumas escolhas dependem do próprio substantivo: ele é contável ou incontável, singular ou plural? Outras dependem do que o leitor já sabe: o substantivo já foi mencionado, e o leitor consegue saber a qual você se refere? Este guia tem cinco partes, que correspondem exatamente às cinco partes do teste diagnóstico.
Você pode começar pelo teste diagnóstico para ver quais partes do tema precisam de revisão, ou ir direto para as atividades de prática, que incluem slides de revisão.
O guia em si está em inglês. Estas traduções são um recurso extra e podem não ser perfeitas.
Your diagnostic result says which part needs review. Tap that part below.
Three questions for every noun
Ask them in this order. The table shows what each combination allows.
- 1
Countable or uncountable? Can you put a number in front of it (two chairs)? If not (two furnitures), it is uncountable.
- 2
Singular or plural? A singular countable noun always needs a determiner. Plural and uncountable nouns can stand alone.
- 3
Can the listener tell which one? If yes, use the. If no, use a/an for a singular countable noun, or no article (or some) for plural and uncountable nouns.
| a / an | the | no article | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular countablechair, idea | a chairany one, or new | the chairthe one we both know | ✗not possible |
| Plural countablechairs, ideas | ✗not possible | the chairsparticular ones | chairschairs in general |
| Uncountablefurniture, advice | ✗not possible | the furnitureparticular furniture | furniturefurniture in general |
The first two questions are about the noun itself. The third is about context: what the listener already knows.
When a noun needs a determiner
Can this noun stand alone, or does it need a word in front of it?
The rule: A singular countable noun needs a determiner. Plural and uncountable nouns can stand alone when the meaning is general.
Words that can fill the determiner slot
Needs a determiner
She is a doctor. Every seat was taken. What a day!
Can stand alone (general meaning)
Doctors work long hours. Water is essential. Advice is free.
Job titles after be or work as need a or an: He is an architect. Many languages leave the article out here, so this is one of the most common learner errors.
Common errors in this part
- Missing determiner
My brother is student.✓ My brother is a student.Student is singular and countable. - Singular determiner with a plural noun
We bought a new chairs.✓ We bought new chairs.A means one; chairs is plural. - the with a general meaning
The water is important for health.✓ Water is important for health.Water in general: no article.
A/an or the?
Is this new to the listener, or does the listener know which one?
The rule: Use a or an for something new or for any one; use the when the listener knows which one. Choose a or an by sound.
A introduces the lamp and the rug. After that, the listener knows which ones, so the. The front door needs no introduction: a home has one front door.
A or an: the first sound decides
| a (consonant sound) | an (vowel sound) |
|---|---|
| a university, a uniform (y sound) | an umbrella, an uncle |
| a European city (y sound) | an egg, an email |
| a one-hour class (w sound) | an hour, an honor (silent h) |
| a UN report (y sound) | an MBA, an X-ray (letter names: em, ex) |
Common errors in this part
- a/an where the listener knows which one
Where is a remote control? I left it here.✓ Where is the remote control? I left it here.The listener knows which one. - the for something new or unspecified
I'd like to have the dog one day.✓ I'd like to have a dog one day.Any dog, not a particular one. - a/an chosen by spelling
She waited a hour.✓ She waited an hour.The h is silent: vowel sound.
Countable and uncountable nouns
Can you count this noun, and if not, how do you talk about amounts?
The rule: Uncountable nouns take no a or an, no plural -s, and a singular verb. To count them, use a counting phrase.
Grammar recap
This part covers the basics. The Uncountable Nouns unit goes further, with more nouns, more counting phrases, and nouns that change meaning.
Common uncountable nouns
Counting phrases
| Noun | One | More than one |
|---|---|---|
| advice | a piece of advice | some tips, several pieces of advice |
| bread | a loaf of bread, a slice of bread | two loaves of bread |
| water | a glass of water, a bottle of water | three bottles of water |
| furniture | a piece of furniture | four pieces of furniture |
Many of these nouns are countable in other languages. Some food and drink words can be countable informally (two coffees, meaning two cups), but advice, information, furniture, and equipment are not.
Common errors in this part
- Plural -s on an uncountable noun
Thanks for all your helps.✓ Thanks for all your help.Help is uncountable. - a/an with an uncountable noun
I have a homework tonight.✓ I have some homework tonight.Homework takes no a. - Number with an uncountable noun
He bought two breads.✓ He bought two loaves of bread.Count bread with a counting phrase. - Plural verb with an uncountable noun
The weather are nice today.✓ The weather is nice today.Uncountable nouns take a singular verb.
Quantifiers
How much or how many, and is the amount enough?
The rule: Many and few go with plural nouns; much and little go with uncountable nouns. A few and a little are positive; few and little mean not enough.
| Meaning | Plural countable | Uncountable | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| a large amount | many | much | a lot of, lots of, plenty of |
| some, enough (positive) | a few | a little | some |
| not enough (negative) | few | little | not much / not many |
| zero | no, not any | no, not any | none of |
a few: the glass is half full
I have a few friends in the city, so I often go out.
few: the glass is half empty
I have few friends in the city, so I often feel lonely.
Much sounds formal or stiff in positive statements (We have much time). Use a lot of instead: We have a lot of time. Much is normal in negatives and questions.
Grammar recap
The Uncountable Nouns unit practices much, little, and a little with more uncountable nouns.
Common errors in this part
- many/much mismatch
I don't have many money.✓ I don't have much money.Money is uncountable. - few/little mismatch
There were little cars on the road.✓ There were few cars on the road.Cars is plural and countable. - few vs. a few
Good news: few seats are still available.✓ Good news: a few seats are still available.Positive meaning: a few. - some/any mismatch
I didn't buy some bread.✓ I didn't buy any bread.Negatives usually take any.
The zero article and names
Is the meaning general, a fixed phrase, or a name?
The rule: General plural and uncountable nouns take no article, and so do phrases like go to bed. Most names take no article, but rivers, seas, ranges, plural names, and names with of, States, or Republic take the.
| No article | the |
|---|---|
| Life is short. (life in general) | The life of a sailor is hard. (a particular life) |
| Cats hate water. | The cats in this shelter need homes. |
| Mount Kilimanjaro, Lake Baikal | the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, the Danube |
| Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya | the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates |
| Oxford University, Central Park | the University of Oxford, the Museum of Modern Art |
Fixed phrases with no article
In go to bed, at work, go to school, and in class, the noun means its usual purpose. With the, it means the building or object: Her mother went to the school to meet the teacher. By bus, at night, and have lunch are also fixed with no article. Usage varies between varieties of English (US in the hospital, UK in hospital), so this guide uses US English.
Common errors in this part
- Article with a name that takes none
We climbed the Mount Kilimanjaro.✓ We climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.Single mountains take no article. - Missing the in a name
They live near Danube.✓ They live near the Danube.Rivers take the. - the with a general meaning
The money doesn't buy happiness.✓ Money doesn't buy happiness.General meaning: no article. - Article in a fixed phrase
She is still at the work.✓ She is still at work.Fixed phrase: at work.
Self-check
Is each sentence correct? Tap to see the answer. The part label tells you where to look if you were not sure.
Part 1My cousin is architect in Seoul.
Incorrect. My cousin is an architect in Seoul. A singular job title needs a or an.
Part 1Coffee keeps me awake.
Correct. Coffee in general: no article.
Part 2I read an interesting article yesterday. An article was about sleep.
Incorrect. The second mention needs the: The article was about sleep.
Part 2He has an MBA from a university in Texas.
Correct. An before the letter M (em); a before the y sound of university.
Part 3Can you give me an information about the course?
Incorrect. Information is uncountable: some information, or a piece of information.
Part 3I bought three pieces of furniture for the living room.
Correct. Furniture is counted with pieces of.
Part 4There are much tourists in the old town.
Incorrect. Tourists is plural: many tourists, or a lot of tourists.
Part 4We have a little time before the train leaves, so let's get a coffee.
Correct. A little is positive: some time, enough for coffee.
Part 5The Lake Superior is one of the largest lakes in the world.
Incorrect. Lake plus a name takes no article: Lake Superior.
Part 5We sailed along the Mediterranean coast.
Correct. Seas take the.
AI practice prompt
Paste this into an AI chat tool and replace the bracket with your language.