1. a + count noun
    2. a chemist /@ "kemIst/
    a haircut /@ "he@kVt/
    a whisper /@ "wIsp@r/
    a yacht /@ "jQt/
    a union /@ "ju:nI@n/
  2. an + count noun
    3. an apple /@n "&pl/
    an umbrella /@n Vm"brel@/
    an elephant /@n "el@f@nt/
    an idiot /@n "IdI@t/
    an orange /@n "QrIndZ/

    an arm /@n "A;m/
    an earthquake /@n "3;TkweIk/
    an eel /@n "i;l/
    an orphan /@n "O;f@n/
    an honest man /@n "Qn@st m&n/
  3. some + plural noun (only count nouns can be plural)
    4. a house / some houses
    a man / some men
    a woman / some women /@ "wUm@n/, /sVm "wImIn/
    a child / some children
    a person / some people
    a mouse / some mice
    a tooth / some teeth
  4. some + uncount noun (uncount nouns are always singular)
    5. some water / a glass of water
    some food / a plate of food
    some fruit / a piece of fruit
    some information / a piece of information
    some advice / a piece of advice
    some news / a piece of news

  5. a / some + count / uncount noun (some nouns can be count or uncount)
    6. There is some beer in the fridge. / Two beers, please.
    There is some noise outside the classroom. / I heard some strange noises last night.
    Would you like some salad? / Two salads, please.
    There is some fish left. / There are two fish in the fishbowl.
  6. a little / very little + uncount noun (= un poco de / muy poco/-a)
    7. You should have a little patience.
    Can I have a little salt, please?
    There was a little rain last night.

    I have very little money.
    There is very little traffic in this street on Sundays.
    We have very little homework today.
  7. a little + count noun (= small, etc.)
    8. a little box = a small box
    a little child = a young child
    a little dog = a puppy
    a little cat = a kitten
    a little pig = a piglet
    a little story = a short story
    a little song = a simple song
    my little black book = my personal diary

    Sometimes the meaning is ambiguous:

    a little chicken (count) = a chick
    a little chicken (uncount) = some chicken

    a little lettuce (count) = a small lettuce
    a little lettuce (uncount) = some lettuce

    a little cheese (count) = a small cheese
    a little cheese (uncount) = some cheese

    a little tomato (count) = a small tomato
    a little tomato (uncount) = some fried tomato / some pieces of tomato
  8. a few / very few + count noun (= unos pocos/-as / muy pocos/-as)
    9. I'll see you in a few days.
    I need a few coins for this magic trick.
    There are a few clouds in the sky.

    There are very few chairs in the dining room.
    There were very few students in class on the 22nd of December.
    Very few people are in favour of the government's cutbacks in health and education.
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