The Article II

PART I Expression of Quantity

When we write sentences in question or negative form, we use 'a' or 'an' only with singular countable nouns as we do in statements.

EXAMPLE: There is a book on the table. Is there a book on the table? There isn't a book on the table.

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change each sentence to a question and copy it. Add all necessary punctuatuion.

1. there is a bottle of milk in robert wards refrigerator

2. there is a radio in the corner

3. there is a post office in the neighborhood

4. there is a pillow on the bed

EXERCISE: In the space provided, copy the same sentences, but change them to negative sentences.

1.

2.

3.

4.

EXERCISE: In the spaces provided, change the following sentences to negative sentences using no. Add all necessary punctuation.

1. there is a chair in the bedroom

2. there is a dishwasher in mrs allens kitchen

3. there is a cafeteria in the main building

4. there is an umbrella in the closet

When we make questions with plural countable nouns we often use the word any to ask about quantity, in the same way that we use some in affirmative sentences. We sometimes use some in questions also, but in this lesson we will practice the use of any. Some us never used in negative statements.

EXAMPLE: There are some apples in the bowl. Are there any apples in the bowl. There aren't any apples in the bowl.

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change the following statements to questions, changing some to any. Add all necessary punctuation.

1. there are some students in the hall

2. there are some pictures on mr dales bedroom wall

3. there are some new stores on main street

4. there are some eggs in the refrigerator

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change the four sentences above to negative sentences and copy.

1.

2.

3.

4.

We can also use no with plural, countable nouns.

EXAMPLE: There are five apples in the bowl. (five apples)

There are no apples in the bowl. (zero apples)

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change the following sentences to negative sentences with no. Add all necessary punctuation.

1. there are some children in mrs hubbards house

2. there are two books on the table

3. there are some cups in the kitchen cabinet

4. there are some good programs on television tonight

We also normally change 'some' to 'any' with noncountable nouns.

EXAMPLE: There is some milk in the glass.

Is there any milk in the glass?

There isn't any milk in the glass.

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change the following statements to questions. Add all necessary punctuation.

1. there is some dirt on the window

2. there is some coffee on toms shirt

3. there is some water in the dogs dish

4. there is some mustard on this hamburger

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change the same sentence to negative statements.

1.

2.

3.

4.

We can also use 'no' with noncountable nouns.

EXERCISE: In the space provided, change the following sentences into negative sentences, using no. Write all necessary punctuation.

1. there is some food on the table

2. there is some wine in pierres glass

3. there is some snow on the ground

4. there is some ice in the freezer

PART II Practice Composition

Copy the following composition, putting words of your own in the blank spaces:

My Home

in my home there is a ________ and a ________ there are some ________ and some ________ there is a ________ but there is no ________ and there are no ________ there isnt any ________ and there isnt any ________ either is happy in my home with my _______________________ my _______________________ and my ________________________ (singular countable) (plural countable) (uncountable)

Rainsbury, Robert. Written English An Introduction for Beginning Students of English as a Second Language. Lesson 10. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1977, pp. 45-8.