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with singular countable nouns when it is not clear which thing or person is being talked about use the indefinite article (a/an) start learning
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We got an email from Carla. She's renting an apartment in Berlin with a friend.
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the first time something is mentioned use the indefinite article (a/an) start learning
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in phrases of quantity or frequency use the indefinite article (a/an) start learning
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2 euros a kilo, 5 days a week, 70 km an hour
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with plurals and uncountable nouns to talk about things in general start learning
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Children need at least eight hours' sleep.
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for continents, countries, towns, roads, stations, mountains and lakes start learning
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Asia, Spain, Moscow, Kings Cross Station, Everest, Lake Garda
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when it's clear to the listener/reader what is being talked about Use the definite article (the): start learning
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Lia had the children with her. (her children). I liked the speech you made.
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when something is unique; superlatives use the definite article (the): start learning
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The first man on the moon. It's the fastest car.
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when something has been mentioned before use the definite article (the): start learning
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There's a problem and the problem is money.
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for oceans, rivers, organisations, deserts, mountain ranges, decades use the definite article (the): start learning
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The Pacific, the Danube, the UN, the Alps, the Sahara, the 1990s
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use the definite article (the): start learning
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What's the matter? The bigger the better.
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with an adjective or a singular countable noun for things in general use the definite article (the): start learning
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The city is divided between the rich and the poor. The tiger could soon be extinct.
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start learning
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a singular countable noun can never stand alone; it must go with a, an, each, every, this, that, his, her, the, etc.
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The Thomas Edisons of food start learning
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with a/an, the or no article (-)
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When people think of (1) inventors, start learning
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When people think of inventors,
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they might think of Thomas Edison and (2) light bulb start learning
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they might think of Thomas Edison and the light bulb
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or Gutenberg and (3) printing press, but do you know who invented some of the food you eat? start learning
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or Gutenberg and the printing press, but do you know who invented some of the food you eat?
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George Crum was (4) head chef start learning
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George Crum was the head chef
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at (5) resort in Saratoga Springs, New York. start learning
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at a resort in Saratoga Springs, New York.
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One day (6) costumer complained that the French fries were too thick, start learning
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One day a costumer complained that the French fries were too thick,
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so Crum sliced (7) potato paper-thin and fried it, start learning
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so Crum sliced a potato paper-thin and fried it,
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just to make (8) customer happy. start learning
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just to make the customer happy.
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And so, (9) crisps were born. start learning
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And so, crisps were born.
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Sausages of all sorts have been common in Europe for centuries, but (10) hot dogs were first sold as sausages in buns by German immigrants bread that is made in a small round shape: a hamburger bun start learning
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Sausages of all sorts have been common in Europe for centuries, but hot dogs were first sold as sausages in buns by German immigrants
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on the streets of (11) New York City start learning
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on the streets of New York City
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in (12) mid-19th century. start learning
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Mayonnaise was probably invented by (13) French chef start learning
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Mayonnaise was probably invented by a French chef
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start learning
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and was first sold in glass bottles in (15) USA in 1912. start learning
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and was first sold in glass bottles in the USA in 1912.
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Popcorn was invented by Native American Indians, but it's not clear which group or where (16) snack food first appeared. start learning
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Popcorn was invented by Native American Indians, but it's not clear which group or where the snack food first appeared.
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Early American settlers ate (17) popcorn with milk start learning
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Early American settlers ate popcorn with milk
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start learning
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So the next time you're sitting in (19) cinema, munching on popcorn and crisps, start learning
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So the next time you're sitting in the cinema, munching on popcorn and crisps, Normally with cinema we use the.
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remember (20) people who first discovered these treats. Now, who were they again ...? start learning
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remember the people who first discovered these treats. Now, who were they again ...?
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