Missing Articles (A, AN, THE)
Use A/AN for singular countable nouns, professions, and symptoms. Use THE for superlatives, unique objects, and instruments.
Question 1
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
My sister is _____ doctor.
Context: Professions with singular nouns
🧠Why This Mistake Happens
The Problem:
Spanish omits articles in structures where English requires them
Linguistic Reason:
Spanish allows zero articles for professions ('es profesora'), illnesses ('tengo gripe'), and in other contexts where English mandates A/AN/THE. This creates L1 transfer errors when Spanish patterns are applied to English.
Spanish Example:
Spanish: Is teacher / Have flu / Need car
Spanish allows zero articles where English requires A/AN/THE
💡 Quick Rule:
Use A/AN for singular countable nouns, professions, and symptoms. Use THE for superlatives, unique objects, and instruments.
Exceptions:
- • Some illnesses use THE (the flu), others use A (a cold, a fever)
Common Examples:
She is teacher
She is a teacher
Professions
I have headache
I have a headache
Symptoms
I need car
I need a car
Singular countable nouns
She plays piano
She plays the piano
Musical instruments
💡 Tips for Success
- •Professions always need A or AN (a teacher, an engineer, a doctor)
- •Most symptoms use A (a headache, a cold), but THE flu is an exception
- •Frequency expressions: once/twice/three times A day/week/month/year
- •Musical instruments and superlatives always need THE (the piano, the best)
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