18.11.2025_Spring Blossoms_Articles- a /an /the / no article

In English, we use articles to show if we’re talking about something general or specific, and whether the thing is known or unknown to the listener.

Grammar Focus

1️⃣ A / An – Talking about something for the first time (general, singular)

Use a / an when:
- You are talking about something not known or specific.
- You mention it for the first time.
- It is one single thing.

✅ a → before a consonant sound
✅ an → before a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u)

Examples:
• I saw a butterfly in the garden. (any butterfly, not a specific one)
• She planted an apple tree.
Think: “It’s new information.”

2️⃣ The – Talking about something specific or known

Use the when:
- You and the listener both know which thing you mean.
- You mention the thing again.
- There is only one of that thing (the sun, the sky, the moon).
- You describe something with a phrase or detail that makes it specific.

Examples:
• I saw a butterfly. The butterfly was yellow.
• The sun is shining.
Think: “We know which one I mean.”

3️⃣ No Article (∅) – Talking about things in general, or uncountable nouns

Use no article when:
- You talk about things in general, not one specific example.
- You use plural nouns (flowers, people, trees).
- You use uncountable nouns (water, air, music, rain, love).

Examples:
• I love spring.
• She likes music and fresh air.
Think: “I’m talking about all of it, not one specific thing.”

🎯 Grammar Practice (5 minutes)

Fill in a / an / the / – (no article)

1. I saw ___ rainbow after the rain.
2. She bought ___ new umbrella yesterday.
3. We went for ___ walk in ___ park.
4. ___ sun is shining, and ___ birds are singing.
5. I love ___ spring because everything feels fresh.
6. He planted ___ apple tree in ___ garden.
7. ___ flowers in front of my house are beautiful.
8. She wants to buy ___ new pair of shoes.
9. We had ___ picnic under ___ big tree.
10. ___ people love spending time outside in spring.

🗂 Vocabulary – Spring Words

💬 Conversation – Spring Talk

What do you like about the spring weather?
→ I love the sunshine and the fresh breeze.

Have you ever planted a flower or a tree?
→ Yes, I planted an apple tree last spring.

Do you usually go for walks in the park?
→ Yes, I go for a walk in the park almost every weekend.

What’s the best thing about the spring in Slovakia?
→ The flowers and the colors — nature is beautiful everywhere!

Do you like listening to the birds in the morning?
→ Yes! The birds start singing so early. It makes me feel happy.

Do you wear a raincoat when it rains?
→ Yes, I always take an umbrella too.

What’s your favorite flower?
→ I really like tulips. They remind me of my grandma’s garden.

Do you prefer warm or cool spring days?
→ I prefer warm days with a little sunshine.

What do you usually eat or drink in spring?
→ I love eating fresh fruit and drinking lemonade.

Do you enjoy the sound of rain?
→ Yes, I do! I like reading a book when it rains outside.