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Small words, big marks: articles and prepositions

By Michael Ukwuma

A, an, the and the prepositions that cost fluent speakers points, including patterns common in West African English.

Small words are where strong English users lose quiet points. Some patterns are perfectly normal in Nigerian and wider West African English but read as errors to a Canadian rater. You do not have to change how you speak at home. You only need to know the test version.

Articles in two minutes

• A or an for one of many, mentioned for the first time: I bought a new phone.
• The for something specific or already mentioned: The phone stopped working.
• No article for general plurals and uncountables: Children need sleep. Traffic is heavy.
• Use an before a vowel sound: an hour, an email, a university.

The rest of this lesson is part of full access.