Pronouns and determiners · Elementary (A2)
Articles: a, an, the and no article
When to use a/an, when to use the, and when to use no article at all.
The rules
A / an = one, not specific, or mentioned for the first time: I have a* car. She’s an engineer.* Use an before a vowel sound: an hour, an umbrella but a university, a European country (they start with a /j/ sound).
The = specific, both people know which one, or mentioned before: I bought a shirt and a jacket. The* jacket was cheap.* Also unique things: the sun, the internet, and with superlatives: the best.
No article for general plural and uncountable nouns: I like cats. Music helps me relax. Also with most countries, cities, meals and many places of routine: in Japan, have lunch, go to work/school/bed.
Some place names take the: the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, rivers and oceans (the Nile, the Pacific), and mountain ranges (the Alps).
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| a/an: one of many | a doctor, an apple |
| the: specific / known | the doctor who helped me |
| the: unique | the moon, the world |
| no article: general | Dogs are friendly. |
Examples
- There’s a café near my house. The café sells great cake.
- I’m reading an interesting book.
- Life is short.
- She lives in the UK, but she works in Germany.
Common mistakes
✗ She is doctor.
✓ She is a doctor.
Jobs take a/an.
✗ The life is beautiful.
✓ Life is beautiful.
General abstract ideas take no article.
✗ an university
✓ a university
University starts with a /j/ sound, not a vowel sound.
Practice
I waited for ___ hour.
Quiz
1.She’s ___ honest person.
2.They live in ___ Netherlands.
3.___ children need sleep. (in general)
4.We say “a university” because of the /j/ sound.