Welcome to ESL Teacher! You are such an awesome student for coming to class today! Please open your English (ESL) textbook, The Oxford Picture Dictionary, 2nd Edition, to page 59.
We are going to learn words for the kids' bedroom. Practice until you remember!
Today we are talking about the elusive "a" and "the". When do you use them? When do you leave them out? What the heck is a count and a noncount noun anyway?
Ah, your questions are about to be answered...finally!
Count vs. Noncount Nouns
Count nouns are countable, which means that you can use numbers with them.
EXAMPLE: 3 cats, 5 tables, 10 coins
Noncount nouns cannot be counted
air (not 1 air), information (not 3 informations), furniture (not 5 furnitures)
Noncount nouns can be counted if you use measure words
2 tanks of air, 3 books of information, 5 pieces of furniture
When to use "A"
Use a when you have a single count noun.
EXAMPLE: A dog is a great pet.
Do not use "A" with non-count nouns
EXAMPLE: Money is important (not "a" money)
When to put an "s" after nouns?
Plural Count Nouns need "s"
EXAMPLE: There are 3 dogs.
Non-Count nouns do not need an "s" and are grammatically singular
EXAMPLE: There is money. (use "is" instead of "are")
Put an "s" after count nouns when making generalizations
EXAMPLE: Dogs are great pets.
Some and A Lot
Count and Non-count nouns both use "some"
EXAMPLE: Some pens (count nouns need "s")....some furniture....some mail
Count and Non-count nouns both use "some"
EXAMPLE: A lot of birds (count noun...so has "s") are flying to see a lot of people (non-count).
Many and A Few
Many and A Few are used with Count Nouns
EXAMPLE: I have many books.
EXAMPLE 2: I have a few pencils.
Much and A Little
Much and A Little are used with Non-Count Nouns
EXAMPLE: I don't have much coffee.
EXAMPLE 2: I have a little money.
When to use "the"
Use "the" when you and the audience knows what you are talking about, you both know the context
EXAMPLE: The party is going to be on Tuesday (The speaker and listener already know there is going to be a party and what exact party it is)
REMEMBER - IF YOU FIND THIS CHALLENGING, THEN READ THE GRAMMAR LESSON BEFORE YOUR STUDENTS
Thank you for coming to class at ESL Teacher today! Open your English (ESL) textbook, The Oxford Picture Dictionary, 2nd Edition to page 58. Today we are going to learn about words in the bedroom. Study along with your ESL Teacher, Meylysa and speak great English!
Welcome to ESL Teacher. In today's class, we are looking at your English (ESL) textbook, The Oxford Picture Dictionary, 2nd Edition, page 54. The lesson is on the kitchen!
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