Unit 1: A or An & verb to be

In this lesson, we shall learn:

• The use of A or An.
• Singular and Plural nouns.
• How to use Verb to be ( is , am , are).

Please click on the fowllowing to watch the video presentation

English Explanantion

Urdu Explanation

Introduction to English.

Alphabets:

There are 26 alphabets in English Language.

A ,B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.

Vowels:

Out of these 26 alphabets A, E, I, O, U are called Vowels.

Consonants:

The rest of the alphabets are called Consonants.

Nouns:

Name of everything is called a noun.

Use of Indefinite Article (A):

Usually, we use (A) before singular nouns beginning with consonants

e.g. A cat, A bird , A chair

All of the above nouns are singular and start with consonants.

Use of Indefinite Article (An)

Usually, we use (An) before singular nouns beginning with vowels.

e.g. An orange , An umbrella.

All of the above nouns are singular and start with vowels.

Note :

A or An always come before singular nouns.

e.g. A cat. A cats (X)

An orange   ,    An oranges (X)

Verb "to be":

This verb shows existence of something or someone. "Be" means existence. This verb does not show any action, it only tells or expresses what a thing or a person is.

e.g. I am a teacher.(no action)

      She is happy. (no action)

In the above sentences we are just telling who I am. and how she is. There isn't any action going on we are just telling about She and I that what they are .

Verb to be can be  in any time. It can be in Past or Present or Future.

Be in Present = is,am,are.

Be in Past = was, were.

Be in Future = will be.

Singular Noun + Singular Verb + Singular Noun

(Is) is a singular verb. So, a singular noun always takes a singular verb.

e.g. Canada is a country.

Canada (singular noun) is (singular verb) a country (singular noun).

You cannot use (Are) with Canada because it is a singular noun.

Plural Noun

Singular means One and Plural means two or more . When we want to change a singular noun into a plural noun, there are different rules for that.

The most simple rule to change a singular noun into a plural noun is adding (s) in the end of  a singular noun.

e.g. Cat + s = Cats(Plural)

Some nouns end at (Y) :

e.g. City.

To change such kind of nouns, we change (Y) into (i) and then add (es)

City = Cities.

Plural Noun + Plural Verb + Plural Noun

(Are) is a plural verb. A plural noun always takes a plural verb.

e.g. Birds are animals

Birds ( plural noun) + are ( plural verb) + animals ( plural noun)

You can not use (is) with Birds e.g. Birds is animals (X)

Note :

Two Singular Nouns also take a plural verb.

e.g.Canada and America are countries.

Canada and America (plural noun) are (plural verb) countries (plural noun)

When you have two nouns as a subject in your sentence , you will have to use a plural verb in that sentence.

Exercise No.1: Complete the sentences using A or An

1. A horse is an animal
2. English is language
3. Chicago is city.
4. Korea is country.
5. Europe is continent.
6. Chicago is city.
7. dictionary is book.
8. hotel is building.
9. bear is animal.
10. ant is insect.

Listening Practice

Click here to listen to the story

The state owned Yang Bay farm in central Vietnam was home to around five-thousand crocodiles, until flash floods destroyed their cages at the weekend. The authorities don't know exactly how many of the reptiles escaped but they believe several hundred are on the loose. Soldiers, forest rangers and villagers have been trying to track them down. Only eight crocodiles have been recaptured so far and three more shot dead. The first to be killed weighed two-hundred kilograms and took eight people to carry it away. Many of the escaped crocodiles are thought to have taken up residence in a nearby lake, and officials have warned people to be extremely careful and not to go swimming. Crocodiles are farmed in Vietnam for meat and their skin which is still used to make handbags. The manager of the farm says he fears some local people will try to catch them so they can sell the leather. The floods - caused by a series of typhoons - have caused widespread damage in northern and central Vietnam, killing around two-hundred people since the start of October.

Vocabulary

Click here to listen to the words

flash floods
sudden heavy rain and rising water

escaped
got away, fled

on the loose
free

forest rangers
people who look after parks and natural areas

to track them down
to find them

recaptured
put back into cages

taken up residence
started living

farmed
bred, raised (here)

leather
dried animal skin

widespread damage
great destruction