I’d Like to borrow a pen
I need a tin to put this sugar in.
N.B. The plural of a and an in these sentences is some/a few etc.
I’d like to borrow some pins
I need some tins to put this sugar in.
|
i.e. There are several pens/tins , but I just want one of them-no definite one. |
A dog is an animal.
An owl is bird.
A house.
This is a ruler.
N.B. The plural of a and an in these sentences is zero.
Dogs are animals.
Owls are birds.
Houses are buildings.
These are rulers
|
Classification of objects and people |
Jack is a mechanic.
Barbara is an actress.
N.B. The plural of a and an in these sentences is Zero.
Jack and Tom are mechanics.
Barbara and Liz are actresses.
|
Professions and Trades |
I met a man yesterday who told me that he was looking for a job. He was young and well-dressed. I told this man I could help him.
There was a cat in m garden. When it heard me, it ran away.
N.B. the plural of a in these sentences would be some/ a few/several/two etc. according to the context.
|
First reference to a single person or object |
- They have a lot of children.
He eats a large amount of meat.
They have done a great deal of work
- I go to the hairdresser’s once a week.
They play tennis three times a month.
We waited half an hour
I am a neighbor of his.
N.B.The plural of a in these sentences is zero.
They are friends of mine
|
Fixed Expressions |
What a pretty girl!
What an uncomfortable chair.
She is such a talkative woman.
N.B The plural of a and an in these sentences is zero.
What pretty girls!
What uncomfortable chairs
They are such talkative women. |
After What ( in exclamations) and such. |
