Apedia

I Refer Front Member People Noun Names Typical

query
You use a or a_ to refer to someone or something as a typical member of a group, class, or type.You use a or an to refer to someone or something as a typical member of a group, class, or type.
Some parents believe a boy must learn to stand up and fight like a man.
...the operation a patient has had.
word a
full-definition
determiner
You use a or an when you are referring to someone or something for the first time or when people may not know which particular person or thing you are talking about.
A waiter entered with a tray.
He started eating an apple.
Today you've got a new teacher taking you.
I manage a hotel.
You use a or an when you are referring to any person or thing of a particular type and do not want to be specific.
...expensive make-up that we saw being advertised by a beautiful model.
I suggest you leave it to an expert.
Bring a sleeping bag.
I was waiting for a bus.
You use a or an in front of an uncount noun when that noun follows an adjective, or when the noun is followed by words that describe it more fully .
There was a terrible sadness in her eyes.
He did have a real knowledge of the country.
First you have to develop an awareness of just what is happening.
You use a or an in front of a mass noun when you want to refer to a single type or make of something.
Bollinger 'RD' is a rare, highly prized wine.
You use a in quantifiers such as a lot, a little, and a bit .
I spend a lot on expensive jewelry and clothing.
I've come looking for a bit of advice.
You use a or an to refer to someone or something as a typical member of a group, class, or type.
Some parents believe a boy must learn to stand up and fight like a man.
...the operation a patient has had.
You use a or an in front of the names of days, months, or festivals when you are referring to one particular instance of that day, month, or festival.
The interview took place on a Friday afternoon.
It was a Christmas when shoppers chose more practical gifts.
You use a or an when you are saying what someone is or what job they have.
I explained that I was an artist.
He was now a teacher and a respectable member of the community.
You use a or an in front of the names of people as a way of indicating that you do not know them or anything about them and you are saying their name for the first time.
The full address was that of a Mrs P. R. Slater of Peterborough.
You use a or an in front of the names of people when you want to refer to someone else who has the same qualities or character as the person named.
When I listen to her play I can hear a new Beethoven.
You use a or an in front of a surname when you want to refer to someone who belongs to the family with that surname.
As far as I can recall, Patti was a Smith.
You use a or an in front of the names of artists to refer to one individual painting or sculpture created by them.
Most people have very little difficulty in seeing why a Van Gogh is a work of genius.
You use a or an instead of the number 'one', especially with words of measurement such as ' hundred ', 'hour', and 'metre', and with fractions such as 'half', ' quarter ', and 'third'.
...more than a thousand acres of land.
...a quarter of an hour.
The skirts were shortened an inch or two.
You use a or an in expressions such as eight hours a day to express a rate or ratio.
Prices start at £13.95 a metre for printed cotton.
The helicopter can zip along at about 150 kilometres an hour.
inflections an
cefr-level A1

Tags: oxford5k::cefr-level:a1

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: I front bit refer people noun names lot

Previous card: Noun front i refer words people names uncount

Up to card list: Oxford 5000 Word List ft. Collins (English)