Articles: a, an and the
Choose a, an, the or no article — the basics that make your English sound natural.
In this lesson you will
- Use a before consonant sounds and an before vowel sounds
- Use the for specific things
- Know when not to use an article
Learn
a / an (indefinite article) = one, not a specific one. Use it with singular countable nouns: a car, an apple.
a before a consonant sound, an before a vowel sound. It’s the sound that matters, not the letter: an hour (h is silent), a university (“you-niversity”), an umbrella, a European city.
Use a/an for jobs and to mention something for the first time: She’s an* engineer.* · I have a* dog.*
the (definite article) = a specific thing the listener knows: I have a dog. The* dog is black.* · Close the* door, please.* · *the sun, the sea* (there’s only one).
No article for general plurals and uncountable nouns: I like dogs. · Water is important. · Cats are independent. Also no article with most countries, cities, meals and languages: in Spain, at lunch, I speak English — but the USA, the UK.
| a / an | the | no article |
|---|---|---|
| one of many: a pen | a specific one: the pen on the desk | general: Pens are cheap. |
| first mention: I saw a film. | second mention: The film was good. | uncountable: I love music. |
| jobs: He’s a pilot. | unique things: the sun, the internet | most countries: in France |
Examples
- I need an umbrella.
- She’s a doctor at the hospital near my house.
- There’s a café on my street. The coffee is great.
- I love books.general — no article
- It’s an hour from here.h is silent
Vocabulary
apple
a round fruit, red or green
umbrella
you hold it to stay dry in the rain
engineer
a person who designs machines, roads, systems
university
a place for higher education
hour
sixty minutes
sun
the star that gives us light
Practice
___ orange
Listening: At home
Audio isn’t available in this browser — read the transcript instead.
Mum: Where’s the remote?
Leo: It’s on the sofa, next to a book.
Mum: A book? Which book?
Leo: The book from the library. It’s a story about an astronaut.
1.Where is the remote?
2.What’s the book about?
3.The book is from the library.
Speaking
Describe your room or your street using a/an and the: “In my room there’s a bed and a desk. The desk is next to the window…”
Writing
Write about your job or studies and your town. Use a/an, the and no article correctly at least once each.
Lesson quiz
___ interesting idea
Review
Key points
- a before consonant sounds, an before vowel sounds (an hour, a university).
- a/an: one of many, first mention, jobs.
- the: specific or known, second mention, unique things.
- No article: general plurals, uncountables, most countries.
What you learned
- ✓ I can choose a or an by sound.
- ✓ I know when to use the.
- ✓ I know when not to use an article.
Grammar reference: Articles: a, an, the and no article