CONTENTS

11-1 A vs. an
11-2 Count and noncount nouns
11-3 Noncount nouns
11-4 More noncount nouns
11-5 Using several, a lot of, many/much, and ...
11-6 Nouns that be count or noncount
11-7 Using units of measure with noncount nouns
11-8 Guidelines for article usage
11-9 Using the or Ø with names
11-10 Capitalization
1
11-1 A vs. AN

She is wearing a bracelet.

2
 11-1 A vs. AN

(a) She lives in a cabin.

(b) He lives in an apartment.
(c) She lives in a large cabin.
(d) He lives in an old apartment.

a consonants a
= “one”
an vowels an

3
 11-1 A vs. AN

(e) I had an uncle named Spiros.

(f) They have an ugly car.
(g) The inch is a unit of measure.
(h) He saw a unique building.
For words beginning with the letter u:
a consonant sound
an vowel sound

4
 11-1 A vs. AN

(i) I will see you in an hour.

(j) This is a happy day.

For words beginning with the letter h:

a pronounced “h”
an silent “h”

5
11-1 LET’S PRACTICE

a
___
An ear. an

___
A large ear.

___
An enormous ear.
___
A useful ear.

6
11-1 LET’S PRACTICE

a
___
A holiday. an

___
A universal holiday.

___
A unique holiday.
___
An unhappy situation.

7
11-1 LET’S PRACTICE

a
___
An honest mistake. an

___
A hateful comment.

___
An hour of exercise.
___
An unhappy experience.

8
 11-2 COUNT AND NONCOUNT NOUNS

Should we Yes. Let’s

buy some buy a table
furniture? and four
chairs.

9
 11-2 COUNT AND NONCOUNT NOUNS

COUNT NOUN
SINGULAR PLURAL
a table Ø tables
one table five tables
some tables

can be counted
can be preceded by a/an
has a plural form (-s or -es)
10
 11-2 COUNT AND NONCOUNT NOUNS

NONCOUNT NOUN
one furniture
SINGULAR PLURAL
Ø furniture Ø a furniture
some furniture Ø
furnitures

cannot be counted
is not preceded by a/an
does not have a plural form
11
11-2 LET’S PRACTICE

NOUN ?
We love to see movies.

?
count noncount

12
11-2 LET’S PRACTICE

NOUN ?
I need some new jewelry.

?
count noncount

13
11-2 LET’S PRACTICE

NOUN ?
Which utensil do you want?
? noncount
count
14
 11-3 NONCOUNT NOUNS

The river is so beautiful.

All the scenery is beautiful.

15
 11-3 NONCOUNT NOUNS

INDIVIDUAL PARTS = THE WHOLE

(Count Nouns) (Noncount Nouns)
(a)
letters
postcards
bills mail
advertisements
etc.

16
 11-3 NONCOUNT NOUNS

INDIVIDUAL PARTS = THE WHOLE

(Count Nouns) (Noncount Nouns)
(b)
grapes
bananas
apples fruit
oranges
etc.

17
 11-3 NONCOUNT NOUNS

INDIVIDUAL PARTS = THE WHOLE

(Count Nouns) (Noncount Nouns)
(c)
necklaces
rings
bracelets jewelry
pins
etc.

18
 11-3 LET’S PRACTICE

-s
/
We have really old furniture__.
-es
/

19
 11-3 LET’S PRACTICE

-s
She loves these pearl earring__.
s
-es
/

20
 11-3 LET’S PRACTICE

-s
/ on
I keep all the information__
-es
my PDA.
/

21
11-4 MORE NONCOUNT NOUNS

The oil refinery creates

lots of air pollution.

22
 11-4 MORE NONCOUNT NOUNS

(a) LIQUIDS
soda juice oil lemonade

23
 11-4 MORE NONCOUNT NOUNS

(a) LIQUIDS
soda juice oil lemonade
SOLIDS & SEMI-SOLIDS
copper cement silver gold

24
 11-4 MORE NONCOUNT NOUNS

(a) LIQUIDS
soda juice oil lemonade
SOLIDS & SEMI-SOLIDS
copper cement silver gold
GASES
helium smoke oxygen

25
 11-4 MORE NONCOUNT NOUNS

(b) THINGS THAT OCCUR IN NATURE

moonlight sleet fog

(c) ABSTRACTIONS
joy enthusiasm danger

26
 11-4 LET’S PRACTICE

-s
-es
/
/ and happiness __
Health __ / often go
together.

27
 11-4 LET’S PRACTICE

/
Ginny has all the luck__. -s
Thing__
s always go well for her. -es
/

28
 11-4 LET’S PRACTICE

-s
-es
/

The project is going well.

/
We have made a lot of progress __.
/ has paid off.
Having patience __

29
 11-5 USING SEVERAL, A LOT OF, MANY / MUCH, AND
A FEW / A LITTLE

We have new furniture.

We have a table and many chairs.

30
 11-5 USING SEVERAL, A LOT OF, MANY / MUCH, AND
A FEW / A LITTLE

COUNT NONCOUNT
(a) several apples Ø

several count nouns

31
 11-5 USING SEVERAL, A LOT OF, MANY / MUCH, AND
A FEW / A LITTLE

COUNT NONCOUNT
(a) several apples Ø
(b) a lot of apples a lot of fruit

a lot count/noncount
32
 11-5 USING SEVERAL, A LOT OF, MANY / MUCH, AND
A FEW / A LITTLE

COUNT NONCOUNT
(a) several apples Ø

(b) a lot of apples a lot of fruit

(c) many apples much fruit

many count
much noncount
33
11-5 USING SEVERAL, A LOT OF, MANY / MUCH, AND
A FEW / A LITTLE

COUNT NONCOUNT
(a) several apples Ø

(b) a lot of apples a lot of fruit

(c) many apples much fruit

(d) a few apples a little fruit

a few count a little noncount

34
 11-5 LET’S PRACTICE

CORRECT
INCORRECT

I hope to get several jewelries for my birthday.

INCORRECT

I hope to get some jewelry for my birthday.

CORRECT

35
 11-5 LET’S PRACTICE

CORRECT
INCORRECT

That store has a few couches that I like.

CORRECT

We need many furnitures for our new house.

INCORRECT

We need a lot of furniture for our new house.

CORRECT
36
11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

He did a lot of work today.

37
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(a) The jar is made of glass.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(b) Do you want a glass of milk?

(c) Barb has new glasses.

38
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(d) Jenn has blue hair !

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(e) There is a hair in your food!

39
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(f) These beams are made of iron.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(g) He bought a new iron.

40
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(h) That bulb produces a lot of light.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(i) Please turn on the light.

41
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(j) May I borrow some paper ?

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(k) I wrote a long paper for my PhD.
(l) He reads the paper
every morning.

42
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(m) This homework is taking so much time.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(n) She’s been sick many
times.

43
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(o) He only did a little work today.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(p) Cooking for his family is a work of love.

44
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(q) Brazil produces a lot of
coffee.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(r) I’d like a coffee with cream.

45
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(s) I eat a lot of chicken and
fish.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(t) I bought one chicken and one fish.

46
 11-6 NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNT OR NONCOUNT

USED AS A NONCOUNT NOUN

(u) I have experience
writing software.

USED AS A COUNT NOUN

(v) There are many experiences to enjoy
when traveling.

47
11-6 LET’S PRACTICE

a
some

Travis has ____

a chicken as a pet.

48
 11-6 LET’S PRACTICE

a
/

/ cut once a month.

I like to get my hair __

49
11-6 LET’S PRACTICE

time
times

I tried to call my friend six ______.

times

50
 11-7 USING UNITS OF MEASURE WITH NONCOUNT
NOUNS

She has a bowl of

cereal, a glass of
milk, and a piece
of fruit for
breakfast.

51
 11-7 USING UNITS OF MEASURE WITH NONCOUNT
NOUNS

(a) He put some oil on the salad.

52
 11-7 USING UNITS OF MEASURE WITH NONCOUNT
NOUNS

(a) He put some oil on the salad.

(b) He had three drops of oil on his salad.

53
 11-7 USING UNITS OF MEASURE WITH NONCOUNT
NOUNS

(a) He put some oil on the salad.

(b) He had three drops of oil on his salad.
(c) He eats some toast with fruit every day.

54
 11-7 USING UNITS OF MEASURE WITH NONCOUNT
NOUNS

(a) He put some oil on the salad.

(b) He had three drops of oil on his salad.
(c) He eats some toast with fruit every day.
(d) He had two pieces of toast with berries.

55
 11-7 LET’S PRACTICE

bag
bottle
I need a _____
bottle of vinegar. box

56
 11-7 LET’S PRACTICE

bag
container of spaghetti. bottle
I have a _________
container

57
 11-7 LET’S PRACTICE

bag
bottle
container

bag of tortilla chips.

I’d like to eat a _____

58
11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

Please tell me a story.

You tell the best stories.

59
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(a) A computer can be helpful for homework.

60
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(a) A computer can be helpful for homework.
(b) An orange is orange.

61
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(a) A computer can be helpful for homework.
(b) An orange is orange.
(c) A tornado can be dangerous.

62
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(a) A computer is helpful for doing homework.
(b) An orange is orange.
(c) A tornado can be dangerous.

a + singular count noun generalization

any, all, in general

63
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

PLURAL COUNT NOUNS

(d) Computers can be helpful for homework.

64
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(d) Computers can be helpful for homework.
(e) Oranges are orange.

65
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(d) Computers can be helpful for homework.
(e) Oranges are orange.
(f) Tornadoes can be dangerous.

66
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(d) Computers can helpful for homework.
(e) Oranges are orange.
(f) Tornadoes can be dangerous.

no article (Ø) with plural count noun

generalization

67
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR Ø (NO ARTICLE)

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(g) Ø Exercise increases energy.
(h) Ø Fruit contains vitamins.
(i) Children need Ø attention.

no article (Ø) with noncount noun

generalization

68
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR SOME

SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS

(j) I bought a computer to help with homework.
(k) I brought an orange for desert.
(l) There was a tornado in Kansas last week.

a + singular count noun one thing

(not specific)

69
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR SOME

PLURAL COUNT NOUNS

(m) There are some computers in the lab.
(n) I’d love to have some oranges.
(o) There are some tornadoes every year.

some + plural count noun things

(not specific)

70
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING A OR SOME

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(p) I need some exercise.
(q) The children would like some fruit.
(r) I think the cat needs some attention.

some (Ø) with noncount noun

something not specific

71
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE
SINGULAR COUNT NOUNS
(s) Do you like the computer you bought?
(t) I enjoyed the orange you gave me.
(u) The tornado that hit yesterday was awful.
(v) The moon is full.
(w) The window is open.
(x) Are you in the garage?
the + noun specific person(s) or thing(s)
72
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE

PLURAL COUNT NOUNS

(y) The computers were expensive.
(z) I enjoyed the oranges you gave me.
(aa) The tornadoes that hit Mexico were awful.
(bb) The moons of Saturn are beautiful.

the + noun specific person(s) or thing(s)

73
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(cc) The mail came early today.

74
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(cc) The mail came early today.
(dd) The fruit wasn’t ripe yet.

75
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(cc) The mail came early today.
(dd) The fruit wasn’t ripe yet.
(ee) The love of a mother is very strong.

76
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(cc) The mail came early today.
(dd) The fruit wasn’t ripe yet.
(ee) The love of a mother is very strong.
(ff) The smog is bad this year.

77
 11-8 GUIDELINES FOR ARTICLE USAGE

USING THE

NONCOUNT NOUNS
(cc) The mail came early today.
(dd) The fruit wasn’t ripe yet.
(ee) The love of a mother is very strong.
(ff) The smog is bad this year.

the with noncount noun

something specific

78
 11-8 LET’S PRACTICE

a Do you have
an ____
the recipe for
the Mom’s lasagna?

79
 11-8 LET’S PRACTICE

a
an
the

No, but I
have ___
a
recipe
from a
magazine.

80
 11-8 LET’S PRACTICE

a
an
Too bad.
the Mom
makes ___
the
best
lasagna.

81
 11-8 LET’S PRACTICE

a
an
the
I do have ___
an
extra special
spaghetti
recipe that
you might
like.

82
11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

The Himalayas are in Asia.

83
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(a) Ø Ms. Albert is on the phone.

She is waiting to speak to Ø Dr. Simmons.

84
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(a) Ø Ms. Albert is on the phone.

She is waiting to speak to Ø Dr. Simmons.
Ø Prime Minister Thompson was re-elected.

The titled names.

85
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(b) I taught English in Ø Asia.

86
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(b) I taught English in Ø Asia.

Ø Australia is a large island.

87
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(b) I taught English in Ø Asia.

Ø Australia is a large island.
Over 20% of the earth’s land is in Ø Africa.

88
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(b) I taught Ø English in Asia.

Ø Australia is a large island.
Over 20% of the earth’s land is in Ø Africa.

The names of continents.

89
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(c) Madrid is the capital of Ø Spain.

Ø Chile has some beautiful mountains.
Ø Madagascar is a small country.
The names of most countries.

(d) The Dominican Republic is a small country.

There are windmills in the Netherlands.
The United States has 50 states.

The a few countries.

90
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(e) I love Ø Paris in the spring time.

Ø New York has wonderful museums.
We visited Ø Johannesburg last winter.

The names of cities.

91
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(f) The Mississippi River is very wide.

The most important river that feeds the Black
Sea is the Danube.
The rivers, oceans & seas.

(g) Ø Lake Vostok is the largest lake in the world.

A large lake in Canada is Ø Lake Huron.

The names of lakes.

92
 11-9 USING THE OR Ø WITH NAMES

(h) We saw the Virunga Mountains in Africa.

The Andes Mountains are in South America.

The names of mountain ranges.

(i) Ø Elbrus Mountain is in Russia.

A beautiful mountain in Alaska is
Mount Denali.

The individual mountains.

93
 11-9 LET’S PRACTICE

The
___ Mediterranean Sea is located
to the north of ___
Ø Africa.
Ø
the

94
 11-9 LET’S PRACTICE

Ø Professor Keely teaches in ___

___ the Czech
Ø
Republic. She loves working in ___
Prague.

Ø
the

95
 11-9 LET’S PRACTICE

It is illegal to climb ___

the Himalayas
Ø
Ø Bhutan.
in ___
the

96
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

Barbara Barns studied business at

Brac University in Bangladesh.

97
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

1. The first word of a sentence.

(a) There are no clouds in the sky.
It is a beautiful day.

98
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

1. The first word of a sentence.

(a) There are no clouds in the sky.
It is a beautiful day.

Capitalize = a BIG letter,

not a small one

99
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

2. The names of people.

(b) Jimi Hendrix was a rock musician
in the 60’s.

100
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

3. Titles used with the names of people.

(c) Dr. Gilroy lives near me.
Were you in Professor Gilroy’s class?

COMPARE
I saw a professor.
I saw Professor Gilroy.

101
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

4. Months, days, holidays

(d) Zoe’s birthday is in December.
She was born on a Saturday.
It was on New Year’s Eve.
spring
summer not
fall/autumn capitalized
winter
102
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

5. The names of places: city, state/province,

country, continent
(e) Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, which
is in North America. It is in the province
of Ontario.

103
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

6. The names of school courses

(f) Professor Mackey teaches my
Women’s History course.

104
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE
7. The titles of books, articles, movies
(g) My favorite movie is Shirley Valentine.
My favorite book is The Sweetest Dream.

105
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

8. The names of languages and nationalities

(h) I speak Spanish.
I love Mexican food.

106
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

9. The names of religions

(i) Buddism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam,
and Judaism are some of the major
religions of the world.
One of my friends is a Muslim, and the
other is a Buddhist.

107
 11-10 CAPITALIZATION

CAPITALIZE

10. The pronoun “I”

(j) I wish I had learned to type.

108
 11-10 LET’S PRACTICE

Should the underlined word be capitalized?

Boxing day is a holiday in canada.

yes
no

109
 11-10 LET’S PRACTICE

Why should the underlined word be capitalized?

Boxing Day is a holiday in canada.

first in sentence
person
holiday
place
course
book
language
110
 11-10 LET’S PRACTICE

Should the underlined word be capitalized?

Boxing Day is a holiday in canada.

yes
no

111
 11-10 LET’S PRACTICE

Why should the underlined word be capitalized?

Boxing Day is a holiday in Canada.

first in sentence
person
holiday
place
course
book
language
112
 11-10 LET’S PRACTICE

Should the underlined word be capitalized?

I taught information Systems 202.

yes
no

113
 11-10 LET’S PRACTICE

Why should the underlined word be capitalized?

I taught Information Systems 202.

first in sentence
person
holiday
place
course
book
language
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