FYP – Common Error Examples from Student Work

Common error exercise - Articles

The following 10 sentences, taken from PolyU students' work, all contain an error in articles. Correct the sentences in the answerbox below.
Then click to see the correct sentence and feedback.

1.	Thirdly, firm should consider employing a security guard.
	Correct sentence: Thirdly, the firm should consider employing a security guard. […if referring to one particular firm] OR Thirdly, firms should consider employing a security guard. [… if referring to local firms in general] Indefinite articles (a, an) are generally used with singular, countable nouns when the noun is general. “The” is generally used before singular and plural nouns when the noun refers to a particular or specific member of a group
2.	This could reshape the existing structure of entire business world.
	Correct sentence: This could reshape the existing structure of the entire business world. "The" is used to refer to something unique. There is only one ‘entire business world’. This refers to one particular entity.
3.	… and customers need to provide a very detailed credit card information.
	Correct sentence: … and customers need to provide a very detailed credit card information. Articles are not used with uncountable nouns which refer to something in a general sense.
4.	You can use digital cash system in your business if you don't want to use credit card system.
	Correct sentence: You can use a digital cash system in your business if you don’t want to use a credit card system. Indefinite articles (a, an) are generally used with singular, countable nouns when the noun is general. 'System' is a countable noun.
5.	The main aim of the present study is to investigate the language used in the mobile phone promotion letters.
	Correct sentence: The main aim of the present study is to investigate the language used in ~~the~~ mobile phone promotion letters. Articles are not used with uncountable nouns which refer to something in a general sense. The study is investigating ‘mobile phone promotion letters’ in general – not a particular group of letters.
6.	Except for coat or sweater, students are not permitted to wear outer clothing such as jacket or cardigan.
	Correct sentence: Except for a coat or sweater, students are not permitted to wear outer clothing such as a jacket or cardigan. The article 'a' will serve for several nouns when they are listed in this manner OR Except for a coat or a sweater, students are not permitted to wear outer clothing such as a jacket or a cardigan. Another way to correct this sentence would be to leave out the articles, and make the nouns plural: Except for coats or sweaters, students are not permitted to wear outer clothing such as jackets or cardigans. Indefinite articles can be used to indicate a whole class to which individual countable nouns belong. Articles can also be omitted however, and the noun made plural (don't forget to make the verb plural too).
7.	The protection services offered can be divided into active protection and the passive protection.
	Correct sentence: The protection services offered can be divided into active protection and ~~the~~ passive protection. Articles are not used with uncountable nouns which refer to something in a general sense. 'Protection' is an uncountable noun.
8.	The purpose of school uniform is to instill self-discipline and teamwork, and to encourage tidiness.
	Correct sentence: The purpose of a school uniform is to instill self-discipline and teamwork, and to encourage tidiness Indefinite articles can be used to indicate a whole class to which individual countable nouns belong. Articles can also be omitted however, and the noun made plural (don't forget to make the verb plural too).
9.	Positive liberalism is the new theory.
	Correct sentence: Positive liberalism is a new theory Indefinite articles (a, an) are generally used with singular, countable nouns when the noun is general. Positive liberalism is one of many new theories, not the only new theory.
10.	In a restaurant, the major function of ventilation system is to extract unwanted smoke from the kitchens.
	Correct sentence: In a restaurant, the major function of the ventilation system is to extract unwanted smoke from the kitchen. "The" is used with uncountable nouns that are made more specific by a modifying phrase or clause. 'In a restaurant…' can be understood to be any one typical restaurant. This "typical" restaurant can be presumed to have a ventilation system – which can be referred to with the definite article – the. The typical restaurant will also be presumed to have one kitchen.