IELTS Grammar

"A" and "an" signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example:

• "My son really wants a mobile for Christmas." This refers to any mobile. We don't know which mobile because we haven't found the mobile yet.
• "Somebody call a fireman!" This refers to any fireeman. We don't need a specific fireman; we need any fireman who is available.

Using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word.

• a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a man; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
• an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
• a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle
• In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as "historical," use an:

In writing, "a historical event" is more commonly used.

Remember that this rule also applies when you use acronyms:

Another case where this rule applies is when acronyms start with consonant letters but have vowel sounds:

If the noun is modified by an adjective, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the adjective that immediately follows the article:

• a broken egg
• an unusual problem
• a European country (sounds like 'yer-o-pi-an,' i.e. begins with consonant 'y' sound)

Remember, too, that in English, the indefinite articles are used to indicate membership in a group:

• I am a teacher. (I am a member of a large group known as teachers.)
• Brian is an Irishman. (Brian is a member of the people known as Irish.)
• Seiko is a practicing Buddhist. (Seiko is a member of the group of people known as Buddhists.)

Definite Article: the

The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:

"The dog that bit me ran away." Here, we're talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.

"I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!" Here, we're talking about a particular policeman. Even if we don't know the policeman's name, it's still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat.

"I saw the elephant at the zoo." Here, we're talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.

Using each,every

Each and every are used with a singular noun and verb.

Each is used for things or people in a group of two or more, with a focus on the individuals in the groups.

Each European citizen has therefore invested seven Euros in the environment.

Every is used for three or more things, with a focus on the group. Often the difference in focus between each and every ?is very small.

Every citizen will have access to precise information about changes in the environment.

We can use each +of +noun/pronoun

Each of the students gave the teacher a present.

both,neither,either

Both, neither and either refer to two people or things.

We use both + plural noun and either/neither +singular noun.

• Both satellites were launched in the 1990s.
• Neither person knew very much about musician A.R. Rehman before Academy Awards of 2010.
• I don't mind where we go. Either restaurant is fine.

d