Using Articles and False Cognates English Class A1

• Cognates are words that are very similar in both languages. False cognates are words that are similar in both languages ​​but don´t have the same meaning.

• The following words are similar but have different meanings:

      embarrassed (English): ashamed

      embarazo(Spanish): pregnant

1. actually = realmente
   actualmente = currently

2. carpet = alfombra
   carpeta = binder

3. compromise = término medio
   compromiso = commitment

4. embarrassed = avergonzado
   embarazada = pregnant

5. exit = salida
   éxito = success

fabric = tela
fábrica = factory

  lecture = discurso
  lectura = reading

8)   library = biblioteca
  librería = bookstore

9. record = grabar
     recordar = remember

10. large= grande

      largo= long  

Using Articles

• This lesson discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the).
  
• What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. 

• Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.
  
• English has two articles: the and a/an. 

The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.

The = definite article            a/an = indefinite article

• For example, if I say, “Let’s read the book,” I mean a specific book. If I say, “Let’s read a book,” I mean any book rather than a specific book.

• Here’s another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, “I just saw the most popular movie of the year.” There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.

“A/an” is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, “I would like to go see a movie.” Here, we’re not talking about a specific movie. We’re talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don’t have a specific one in mind.

Let’s look at each kind of article a little more closely:

Indefinite Articles: a and an

• “A” and “an” signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. For example:

“My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas.” This refers to any dog. We don’t know which dog because we haven’t found the dog yet.

• “Somebody call a policeman!” This refers to any policeman. We don’t need a specific policeman; we need any policeman who is available.

“When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!” Here, we’re talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant. There are probably several elephants at the zoo, but there’s only one we’re talking about here.

Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So…

• a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog

• an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan

a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like ‘yoo-zer,’ i.e. begins with a consonant ‘y’ sound, so ‘a’ is used); a university; a unicycle

• an + nouns starting with silent “h”: an hour

• a + nouns starting with a pronounced “h”: a horse 

In some cases where “h” is pronounced, such as “historical,” you can use an. However, a is more commonly used and preferred.

Definite Article: the

The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:

• “The dog that bit me ran away.” Here, we’re talking about a specific dog, the dog that bit me.

• “I was happy to see the policeman who saved my cat!” Here, we’re talking about a particular policeman. Even if we don’t know the policeman’s name, it’s still a particular policeman because it is the one who saved the cat.

“I saw the elephant at the zoo.” Here, we’re talking about a specific noun. Probably there is only one elephant at the zoo.

Count and Noncount Nouns

The can be used with noncount nouns, or the article can be omitted entirely.

• “I love to sail over the water” (some specific body of water) or “I love to sail over water” (any water).

• “He spilled the milk all over the floor” (some specific milk, perhaps the milk you bought earlier that day) or “He spilled milk all over the floor” (any milk).

“A/an” can be used only with count nouns.

• “I need a bottle of water.“

• “I need a new glass of milk.“

• Most of the time, you can’t say, “She wants a water,” unless you’re implying, say, a bottle of water.

Geographical use of the

There are some specific rules for using the with geographical nouns. Do NOT use the before:

• names of most countries/territories: Italy, Mexico, Bolivia; however, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the United States

• names of cities, towns, or states: Seoul, Manitoba, Miami, Monterrey

• names of streets: Washington Blvd., Main St., Pino Suarez Av.

• names of continents (Asia, Europe).

Do use the before:

• names of rivers, oceans and seas: the Nile, the Pacific

• points on the globe: the Equator, the North Pole

geographical areas: theMiddle East,theWest