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The definite article in English is “the”
The indefinite article is “a” or “an”.
Before a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) we use “an” eg “an elephant”.
Before a consonant (b,c,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,p,q,r,s,t,v,w,x,y,z) we use “a” eg “a dog”
We use “a” to show any one (no specific one)
He went to a restaurant.
He went to a travel agent.
After that if we refer to the same object or place in the same conversation again, we use “the”.
He ate lunch in the restaurant.
He bought a ticket at the travel agent.
Look at the conversation “I was doing yoga” to see examples.
Note that there is no article with proper names of people eg “Mark” not “the Mark” or places eg “Delhi” not “the Delhi”
Note that “a travel agent” becomes “the travel agent” for the rest of the conversation because it is the same travel agent. If you say “a travel agent”, it would mean another one (not the same one).
Note that “a Japanese guy” becomes “the Japanese guy” because it is the same guy.
Note that “another customer” becomes “the other customer” because it is the same customer.
Test: If you wanted to ask the Japanese guy about the price of his yoga class, would you ask:
How much was a yoga class?
or
How much was the yoga class?
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If I wanted to ask the Japanese guy about the price of his yoga class, would I ask:
How much was an yoga class?
yes you can use an voga because the letter (y) is considered as vowel sometimes..with my regards iam mohammad from Iraq..
i think it is :
How much was an yoga class?
no this is wrong I think the correct answer is a yoga class not the yoga class
It is very good one. I understood what is the Articles.Thanks lot.Most of people don’t know what is the articles.Your explaing is very good. it is useful everybody.thanks again.
Anusha
It is “How much is a yoga class.”
Hi Guys
I think I paid about three or four US dollars an hour. The US dollar is down now so I guess it would be more expensive. It was reasonable though. I did two hours of yoga every day while I was in Rishikesh. It was great.
Mark
hi dear
yoga is a good exercise for all of us. i think u should ask him that “how much ll u take for an yoga class.” where r u? u went to risikesh.. is is in inda. thats a nice nd peace place. if u can practice yoga in ur home then its ok.. bt if u wanna join yoga class then its also ok.. its depend on u.u can watch the ramdev baba’s yoga class. i think its helpful to u. ramdev baba is such a great person. he gives idea abt all the yogas.. nd which yoga for which disease…by
tc
How many fees in your yoga class ?
how much for a yoga class?
HOW MUCH IS THE YOGA CLASS? BECAUSE U ALREADY KNOW THE JAPANESE’S YOGA CLASS AND HE ALREADY KNOWS WHAT CLASS YOU TALKING ABOUT
yes, i agree with Travis because i already know that the japanese guy’s class in defined place which he use. so that i will ask him:
How much is the yoga class? (not) how much is a youga class?
Right or wrong?
You are right, Taher.
You would probably say:
“How much was your yoga class?”
However “How much is a yoga class?” is also possible.
If you say “the yoga class”, you are referring to that particular class. If you say “a yoga class” you are referring to any yoga class.
Of course all yoga classes (at that school) are the same price so both patterns are possible.
cheers Mark
How much is the yoga class?
i’m so impress to be a part of this class because i want my english a improved one.
how much is a yoga class?
”How much is the yoga class?”
“how much is the class?”
well i say
how much is a yoga class
thank you very much for your guided me
I think “how much was a yoga class” is correct.
Hi there,
This is a simple but a big problem.
WHEN to PRONOUNCE “a” either as /schwa/ OR /long a/ ??
Similarly, WHEN to PRONOUNCE “an” either as /schwa + n/ OR /short a + n/ ??
IPA transcription
“a”
/long a/ == /e?/
/scwha/ == /?/
“an”
/short a + n/ == /æn/
/schwa + n/ == /?n/
OR the following are the transcriptions from Collins Online Dictionary (http://www.collinslanguage.com/results.aspx?context=4&reversed=False&action=define&homonym=-1&text=a)
a
[?]
[e? strong]
an
[?n]
[æn strong]
BUT WHEN TO USE THEM? (There are neither examples nor explanations)
Oops…
. So please, you can either try to understand my wordy explanation such as /long/ and /short/ OR follow the Collins Online Dictionary link to know HOW the transcription look like. ^_^
Pay attention to some strange thing in my post. As I guessed the schwa and /short i/* symbols are not recognized by the system, and replaced by “?” symbol
*/short i/ symbol as in the word “is”, “hit”, “mix”
peace. GB
Hi Rivo….Good question. The answer is: it does not matter which pronunciation you use and when. Both pairs of pronunciations to which you refer are pretty much interchangeable.
However, in North American English the long vowel sounds are often used in favor of the schwa sounds whenever the speaker deems it necessary to emphasize the particle.
please sent me this lesson