Topic outline

  • Use of Articles

    • The use of articles (a, an and the) is sometimes regarded as one of the most challenging aspects in the English language, and their difficulty arises from the subtle changes in the meaning caused by their use or omission. Perhaps no one fully understands their usage, but this does not stop us from trying to understand some their intricacies and develop our skills in using them.

      This classification, or rule system, presented in this online module provides a practical approach to the use of articles. It aims to help you in understanding how, why and when to use a, an and the (and when not to use them). This module is based on the system provided in

      Huckin, T. N., & Olsen, L. A. (1991). Technical writing and professional communication for nonnative speakers of English. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill.

    • Additional reading materials

      Similar contents presented in the videos can be found in written form at the Academic Writing in English (AWE) website. See links below for main topics

    • Use of articles URL
    • Indefinite vs. Definite Articles URL
    • Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns URL
    • Specific vs. Generic Information URL

    • Study materials: videos and quizzes

      The module consists of eight videos and sixteen exercises (quizzes). To pass this module, you need to watch all the videos and complete all the exercises. Each video and exercise builds on the contents covered earlier. Successful completion each quiz (65%) allows you to continue to the next activity.

      Estimated workload: 3-5 hours


    • Use of articles: preliminaries Quiz
    • Video 1: Countable and uncountable nouns URL
      Students must
      View

      This video gives an introduction to the use of articles.

    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Use of articles: preliminaries
      Exercise 1: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz
    • Video 2: flowchart for rule 2 URL

      This video explains the rule 2 for using or omitting indefinite articles.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 2: flowchart for rule 2 is marked complete
      Video 3: Countable and uncountable nouns URL

      This video explains the distinction between countable and uncountable nouns and how it affects the use of articles.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 3: Countable and uncountable nouns is marked complete
      Exercise 2: Countability and the indefinite article Quiz
    • Video 4: Uniqueness URL

      This video explains the difference between unique and non-unique referencing, as well as discusses special adjectives and nouns.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 4: Uniqueness is marked complete
      Exercise 3: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz
    • Exercise 4: Special adjectives and nouns (the) Quiz
    • Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers URL

      This video explains the concepts of previous mention and post-modifiers.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 5: Previous mention and post-modifiers is marked complete
      Exercise 5: Previous mention and modifiers Quiz
    • Exercise 6: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz
    • Exercise 7: Previous mention and modifiers with review Quiz
    • Video 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives URL

      This video explains the concepts of pre-modifiers and appositives.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 6: Pre-modifiers and appositives is marked complete
      Exercise 8: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz
    • Exercise 9: Pre-modifiers and appositives (the) Quiz
    • Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness URL

      This video explain how the writer's shared or implied knowledge affects the use of articles.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 7: Shared and implied uniqueness is marked complete
      Exercise 10: Shared knowledge and implied uniqueness Quiz
    • Video 8: Generic meaning URL

      This video explains how the articles can be used in the context of generic meaning.

    • Not available unless: The activity Video 8: Generic meaning is marked complete
      Exercise 11: Identifying generics Quiz
    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 11: Identifying generics
      Exercise 12: Review Quiz
    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 12: Review
      Exercise 13: Review Quiz
    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 13: Review
      Exercise 14: Review Quiz
    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 14: Review
      Exercise 15: Review Quiz
    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 15: Review
      Exercise 16: Review Quiz
    • Not available unless: You achieve higher than a certain score in Exercise 16: Review

      CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE ONLINE MODULE OF THE USE OF ARTICLES.

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Module 5: Use of Commas