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Unit 69 · A and the

a/an and the

Study

A

a/an

There are three windows here. a window = window 1 or 2 or 3

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I've got a car. (there are many cars and I've got one)

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Can I ask a question? (there are many questions – can I ask one?)

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Is there a hotel near here? (there are many hotels – is there one near here?)

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Paris is an interesting city. (there are many interesting cities and Paris is one)

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Lisa is a student. (there are many students and Lisa is one)

the

There is only one window here – the window.

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I'm going to clean the car tomorrow. (= my car)

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Can you repeat the question, please? (= the question that you asked)

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We enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice. (= our hotel)

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Paris is the capital of France. (there is only one capital of France)

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Lisa is the youngest student in her class. (there is only one youngest student in her class)

Compare a and the:

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I bought a jacket and a shirt. The jacket was cheap, but the shirt was expensive. (= the jacket and the shirt that I bought)

B

We say the ... when it is clear which thing or person we mean. For example:

the door / the ceiling / the floor / the carpet / the light etc. (of a room) the roof / the garden / the kitchen / the bathroom etc. (of a house) the centre / the station / the airport / the town hall etc. (of a town)

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'Where's Tom?' 'In the kitchen.' (= the kitchen of this house or flat)

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Turn off the light and close the door. (= the light and the door of the room)

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Do you live far from the centre? (= the centre of your town)

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I'd like to speak to the manager, please. (= the manager of this shop etc.)

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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69.1

Write a/an or the.

  1. 1
    We enjoyed our trip. hotel was very nice.example
  2. 2
    'Can I ask question?' 'Sure. What do you want to know?'
  3. 3
    You look very tired. You need holiday.
  4. 4
    'Where's Tom?' 'He's in garden.'
  5. 5
    Eve is interesting person. You should meet her.
  6. 6
    a: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to city centre? b: Yes, go straight on and then take next turning left.
  7. 7
    a: Shall we go out for meal this evening? b: Yes, that's good idea.
  8. 8
    It's nice morning. Let's go for walk.
  9. 9
    Amanda is student. When she finishes her studies, she wants to be journalist. She lives with two friends in apartment near college where she is studying. apartment is small, but she likes it.
  10. 10
    Peter and Mary have two children, boy and girl. boy is seven years old, and girl is three. Peter works in factory. Mary doesn't have job at the moment.
69.2

Complete the sentences. Use a or the + these words:

airportcupdictionarydoorfloorpicture
  1. 1
    Can you open please?example
  2. 2
    How far is it to ?
  3. 3
    Can I have of coffee, please?
  4. 4
    That's nice. I like it.
  5. 5
    Can you pass me please?
  6. 6
    Why are you sitting on ?
69.3

These sentences are not correct. Put in a/an or the where necessary.

  1. 1
    Don't forget to turn off light when you go out. example
  2. 2
    Enjoy your trip, and don't forget to send me postcard.
  3. 3
    What is name of this village?
  4. 4
    Canada is very big country.
  5. 5
    What is largest city in Canada?
  6. 6
    I like this room, but I don't like colour of carpet.
  7. 7
    'Are you OK?' 'No, I've got headache.'
  8. 8
    We live in old house near station.
  9. 9
    What is name of director of film we saw last night?