A - Unspecific: Referring to one as an example of all

A – unspecific

Referring to one as an example of all

Unspecific vs. Specific

A - UNSPECIFIC	A- SPECIFIC
Use a to refer to one item as an example of all (unspecific – any one).	Use a to refer to one item (specific – a particular one).
A violin is an important part of a symphony. (any violin)	A violin was given to the conservatory. (a particular violin)
It takes several years to learn to play a violin well.	A student will be learning to play the violin.
A cello is larger than a violin.	A recital in which the student will play is scheduled in June.
A violin has four strings.	A reception will follow the recital.
It's much easier to carry a violin than a bass cello.

Ukulele

Speaking Generally or Referring Specifically

SPEAKING IN GENERAL	SPEAKING ABOUT A SPECIFIC ONE
Use a before a noun that mentions the quality or characteristics of all such items.	Use a before a noun that is identified as one item specifically.
A ukulele is a four-stringed instrument.	A ukulele found at a garage sale turned out to be excellent.
A red car is more visible to a Highway Patrol Officer.	A red car stopped by a Highway Patrol Officer was speeding.
A joke can be a good way to start a speech.	A joke told at the beginning of his speech made everyone laugh.

ukulele (n.) – a small Hawaiian guitar

Practice 1

A violin

Any One

Select the article that best completes each sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button below.

YOUR RESPONSE	CHECK ANSWERS
A violin is a stringed instrument. It has four strings: E, A, D, G . violin should be tuned often and carefully. Proper storage of violin is very important. violin should be kept in a dry place that is not too warm or too cold. If violin is stored in a damp place, the dampness can cause the wood to swell. A felt lined violin case is the best place to store violin so that it does not get woodworms. A good strong case will also protect violin from getting knocked about.	A violin is a stringed instrument. It has four strings: E, A, D, G. violin should be tuned often and carefully. Proper storage of violin is very important. violin should be kept in a dry place that is not too warm or too cold. If violin is stored in a damp place, the dampness can cause the wood to swell. A felt lined violin case is the best place to store violin so that it does not get woodworms. A good strong case will also protect violin from getting knocked about.

YOUR RESPONSE

CHECK ANSWERS

A violin is a stringed instrument. It has four strings: E, A, D, G . violin should be tuned often and carefully. Proper storage of violin is very important. violin should be kept in a dry place that is not too warm or too cold. If violin is stored in a damp place, the dampness can cause the wood to swell. A felt lined violin case is the best place to store violin so that it does not get woodworms. A good strong case will also protect violin from getting knocked about.

A violin is a stringed instrument. It has four strings: E, A, D, G. violin should be tuned often and carefully. Proper storage of violin is very important. violin should be kept in a dry place that is not too warm or too cold. If violin is stored in a damp place, the dampness can cause the wood to swell. A felt lined violin case is the best place to store violin so that it does not get woodworms. A good strong case will also protect violin from getting knocked about.

Practice 2

A Specific One

One As an Example of All or One in Particular?

READING	YOUR RESPONSE
PARIS (Reuters) - An anonymous American bidder paid $920,000 at a Paris auction Tuesday for a violin crafted by Italian master instrument-maker Antonius Stradivari in 1714. anonymous – the person did not want his/her name to be known	"a violin" refers to: one specific violin any violin - unspecific
A second Stradivarius, said by experts to have been made in 1698 but modified afterward, was purchased by an anonymous European bidder for about $716,000, French auctioneers Drouot said. The sales were the high points of Tuesday's auction of 115 stringed instruments and bows at Drouot's Paris headquarters.	"A second Stradivarius" refers to: one specific violin any violin - unspecific
Auctioneer Jacques Tajan had predicted before the sale that the violin made in 1714 -- which he described as an exquisite instrument -- would sell for between $583,000 and $833,333 "If it sold for a million dollars, this would make me very happy," he had said.	"an exquisite instrument" refers to: one specific instrument any instrument - unspecific
A Stradivarius violin is extremely rare and may fetch an extraordinary price when it comes up for sale. A British woman paid about $617,000 in London in June, 1995, for a Stradivarius for her 10-year-old daughter, a music student in Germany.	"A Stradivarius violin" refers to: refers to one particular Stradivari violin refers to any Stradivari violin

Smithsonian. " Stradivarius Violins" http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/stradv.htm

Practice 3

Speaking generally versus specifically

Select the response that best completes the sentence.
Then check your response by comparing it to the answer.

#	YOUR RESPONSE /	CHECK ANSWER
1.	A violin sold for over a million dollars in an auction today brought in a record price.
2.	A violin is created through a long painstaking process.
3.	A wolf often hunts in a pack.
4.	A wolf caught in a henhouse devoured the farmer's flock of hens. . devoured = ate
5.	A used car costs much less than a new car.
6.	A used car stolen from the lot of Ace Dealership in Burlingame was later found in San Bruno.
7.	A glass of wine with dinner is relaxing.
8.	I have a glass of red wine with dinner every night.
9.	I spilled a glass of wine on the table cloth and it stained the cloth.
10	I broke a glass and had to replace it.

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