Articles - a, an & the

A/An

We use "a/an" with singular countable nouns. It is used to mention something for the first time, or to say that the thing is one of a number of things.

• I've got a skateboard. (mention something for the first time). It is a homemade skateboard. (the thing is one of a number of things)
• She has a sister. (mention something for the first time)

We use articles "a/an" to mention someone's profession.

• I am a professor.
• She is an engineer.

We use "a" before a consonant sound and we use "an" before a vowel sound.

• He's an artist.
• It is a German car.

The

We use "the" with countable (singular and plural) nouns and uncountable nouns. We use it to refer to something or somebody previously mentioned. (Compare to "a/an" above).

• I've got a skateboard. The skateboard was a birthday present from a penfriend.
• They need a house. The house must be big enough for the whole family. 

We use "the" talk about specific things or people.

• The restaurant we went to last night was horrible.
• Do you remember the gift I got from Mom for my birthday?

We use "the" to talk about something "unique".

• The government should promote the local products. (There is only one government in a country)
• The world is facing a serious problem. (There is only one world or I am referring to the one we are living in)

No Articles

We do not use an article when we are talking about people or things in general.

• I like oranges.
• People are sometimes selfish.
• Education is very important in the world.
• I love drinking tea in the afternoon.

Future with "Be Going To"

To form it, we use the correct form of "Be" + "Going to"+ base form

Use: Beside "will" and "shall", we can also use "be going to" to express future events as per below situations.

1. When you intend to do something in the future:
1. I am going to buy some books this weekend.
2. He is going to cut that tree down.
3. She is not going to study geography this semester.
2. When you have planned to do something in the future (previously made decision):
1. I am going to move out soon.
2. They are going to visit their grandparents this New Year Day.
3. What are you going to do this weekend? 
3. When you can forecast (based on current situation) that something is likely to happen very soon: 
1. Look! The tree is going to fall down.
2. Watch out! He is going to fall into the hole.
3. I think it is going to rain today. Look at those black clouds.

The Present Perfect Simple Tense

When there is a connection either action and/or result from the past to the present time, we use the Present Perfect Tense.

The present perfect simple is formed with "have/has + past participle".

 It is used for:

1. an action you did in the past but wish not to mention the specific time.

• Have you done your homework yet? ~ Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
• I have finished the project that you gave me. (Maybe you have forgotten when you finished it or maybe you do not want to tell when you finished it.)
• I have lost my phone. (You do not know the exact time you lost it)

In this case, it is used to talk about:

Experiences:

• I have been to Paris.
• I have never loved anyone.

Changes:

• You have changed a lot since we met last year.
• My English has improved since I moved to this school.
• The bus fee has gone up rapidly.

Accomplishments:

•  They have won a lot of games in the past few years.
• My daughter has learned how to sing.

Uncompleted actions you are supposed to have done (with "yet" in negative sentences):

• I haven't bought the milk yet.
• The teacher hasn't returned us the quiz result yet.

Repeated actions at different time:

• I have been to Paris four times this year.
• We have met a lot of famous people recently.

Used with "yet" to ask if someone has completed a task:

• Have you done the washing yet? ~ Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
• Has he watched that movie yet? ~ Yes, she has. / No, she hasn't.
• Has the teacher check the attendance yet? ~ Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.

An action which was completed earlier than expected. (with "already" in positive sentences):

• Can you go to the market and get some oil? ~ I have already bought some.
• Don't forget to water the flowers. ~ No worry. I have already asked Jane to do it.

2. We also use the present perfect simple tense to talk about continuation in the present (an action that happened in the past and continues until now with "for" (a period of time until now" and "since (from a specific time in the past until now")

• I have learned English for 3 years.
• She has worked as a waitress for 6 weeks and now she's tired of it.
• They have stayed in that village since October.

A Few, Few, A Little, and Little

A FEW and FEW are used to quantify the count noun following it.

1. I have a few/few friends.
2. There are a few/few people in this area.

However, A FEW and FEW do not have the same quantity. A FEW means "some" and the quantity is enough for the purpose.

1. I have a few friends. I'm not lonely.
2. There are a few cakes in the fridge. Would you like one?
3. I don't mind sharing the oranges. I have a few in my bag.

FEW means "not enough" for the purpose.

1. I have few friends. I'm feeling so lonely.
2. The night life here is quiet. Few people go out at night.
3. We have few trees in our village. I think we have to plant more.

Unlike A FEW and FEW, A LITTLE and LITTLE quantify the non-count noun following it. A LITTLE means "some" and quantity is enough for the purpose.

1. I have a little wine left. There's enough for us, I think.
2. We still have a little time to spare before the party ends.
3. There's a little bread left. Shall we eat it for dinner?

LITTLE means "not enough" for the purpose.

1. People with little education cannot find a good job in this modern city.
2. I have little free time. I can hardly call my daughter.
3. I have little money left in the bank to afford the new car.