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Module two of the writing course: when to use the articles a, an, the, or no article in academic English, with four practice questions, a ranking task, a final self-check with model answers, and tap-for-Japanese help, for Japanese researchers at B1 and B2 levels

Words with a dotted line have help in Japanese. Tap them. 点線のある単語は日本語の説明があります。

Stage 1 · Foundations · Module 2

Using articles: a, an, the, or none

Japanese has no words for "a" or "the". So in English it is easy to leave them out. But English needs them, and a reader notices at once when they are missing.

We conducted experiment to test hypothesis. (words are missing)
We conducted an experiment to test the hypothesis.
Four rules that cover most cases
1
One countable thing always needs a or the. Even with an adjective in front. a method, an approach, the control group, a systematic study
2
Many things (plural): use "the" only for a known group. "The samples in this study" (these ones) · "Samples can break" (any)
3
Things you cannot count: no article — unless "of" follows. "Reliability matters" · "The reliability of this test is poor"
4
Names: no "the" — unless the name has "of". "Osaka University" · "the University of Osaka"
A small point — a or an?
Use an before a vowel sound, not just a vowel letter. It is the sound that matters.
an hour (the "h" is silent — starts with a vowel sound)
a university ("university" starts with a "yu" sound, like "you")
a or an — listen to the sound

"This is ______ unusual result for such a large sample."

an a the no article
First mention or known? — a/an vs the

"We built a model. ______ model predicted the rise in demand." (the second time — the reader now knows which model)

The A An No article
Uncountable noun — the "of" rule

"______ accuracy of this method is high." ("accuracy" cannot be counted, but "of this method" follows it)

The No article A An
A name — with "of" or without?

"The study was funded by ______ World Health Organization."

the no article a an
Put these in order — drag the best to the top

All three say the same thing. Drag them so the one with correct articles is at the top.

Best — articles correct
1 We used a new approach to analyse a data.
2 We used new approach to analyse the data.
3 We used a new approach to analyse the data.
Worst — wrong or missing article
Final self-check — choose the correct version

Three sentences, each written three ways. For each, tap the version with the correct articles. You will see at once if it is right.

Sentence 1 — a single countable noun

This paper presents new method for measuring stress.
This paper presents a new method for measuring stress.
This paper presents the new method for measuring stress.

Sentence 2 — uncountable noun with "of"

The quality of the data was checked twice.
Quality of the data was checked twice.
A quality of the data was checked twice.

Sentence 3 — a name

This work began at University of Tokyo.
This work began at a University of Tokyo.
This work began at the University of Tokyo.
Bonus worksheet

Keep practising away from the screen — download this module’s worksheet as a printable PDF.

Bonus Worksheet for this module

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