Articles. Using Articles with Pronouns Possessive pronouns can help identify whether you’re talking about specific or nonspecific items. As we’ve seen, articles also indicate specificity. But if you use both a possessive pronoun and an article at the same time, readers will become confused. Possessive pronouns are words like his, my, our, its, her, and…
Articles. Article Before an Adjective Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective. The usual word order is article + adjective + noun. If the article is indefinite, choose a or an based on the word that immediately follows it. Consider the following examples for reference: Example: Eliza will bring…
Articles. Exceptions: Choosing A or An There are a few exceptions to the general rule of using a before words that start with consonants and an before words that begin with vowels. The first letter of the word honor, for example, is a consonant, but it’s unpronounced. In spite of its spelling, the word honor…
The Indefinite Article The indefinite article takes two forms. It’s the word a when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant. It’s the word an when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel. The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing. For…
The Definite Article The definite article is the word the. It limits the meaning of a noun to one particular thing. For example, your friend might ask, “Are you going to the party this weekend?” The definite article tells you that your friend is referring to a specific party that both of you know about.…
What Are Articles? Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the following examples: Example: After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.- После долгого дня чашка чая была особенно вкусной. By using the article the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long and…
Punctuating Conditional Sentences Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them properly is really simple! Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.Example: If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.- Если бы у меня было время, я бы убрал дом. If the main clause precedes the…
How to Use Third Conditional Sentences Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at the following examples:Example: If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier. – Если бы ты сказал мне, что тебя нужно…
How to Use Second Conditional Sentences Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future. Consider the examples below:Example: If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. – Если бы я получил в наследство миллиард долларов, я бы отправился в…
How to Use First Conditional Sentences First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the examples below:Example: If you rest, you will feel better. – Если ты отдохнешь, то почувствуешь себя лучше.Example: If you set your mind to a…