Articles A v An v The

Articles

A v An v The

A v An

1. You use 'a' or 'an' when you don't

specifically know something or

something is not mentioned before.

Example: A man crashed into a tree.

An elephant can make a loud noise.

2. You use 'a' before a noun that

starts with a consonant. (b, c, d, f, g,

h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x,

y or z) Example: a dog, a friend, a student

A v An

3. You use 'an' before a noun that

starts with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u)

Example: an umbrella, an idea, an apple

*NOTE: While choosing 'a' or 'an' ,

you should pay attention to how you

pronounce the word.

Example: (hour=/aʊər/) it starts with a

vowel so we say 'an hour'

(university= /ˌ juː.nɪˈ vɜː.sɪ.ti/) it starts

with a consonant so we say 'a university'

The

1. You use 'the' when the listener

knows something or someone you are

talking about.

Example:Give me the red pencil.

The man in the cafe is drinking tea.

2. You use 'the' when you have already

talked about something or someone.

Example: The man came, sir. He brought

the papers that you wanted.

The

3. You use 'the' when you are talking

about a geographical point on earth.

Example:the south pole,the equator

4. You use 'the' when you are talking

about rivers,oceans and seas.

Example:the Atlantic,the Missisippi

5. You use 'the' when you are using

certain nouns.

Example: the snow, the moon, the wind,

the world, the earth, the Buckingham Palace

Article Rules: A v An

referring to a single person or object

I want a red apple

referring to something for the first time

There was a prince in a far away country

with names of jobs

Joe dreams of being a fireman

with nationalities, religion in singular

Pierre is a Frenchman. He is a Catholic

Article Rules: A v An

days of the week but not a particular day

Please, visit me on a Sunday morning

referring to an example of something

The man had a big nose

with singular nouns after "what/such"

What a lovely day! He is such a good boy

with some illnesses

He has got a terrible headache

Article Rules: The

something already mentioned, known

Could your dad sell the red car?

family names in plural

the Taylors

countries that have plural names

the United States of America

deserts , some regions

the Gobi , the North America

Article Rules: The

groups of islands

the Marshall Islands

groups of mountains

the Himalayas

rivers, seas, oceans

the Atlantic Ocean, the Mississippi

groups, bands, orchestras, choirs

the Beatles, the Cleveland Orchestra

Article Rules: The

museums, cinemas, theatres, hotels

the Four Seasons Hotel

unique things

the sun, the world, the moon

unique people

the queen, the king, the president

musical instruments

the accordion, the guitar

Article Rules: The

ships

the Titanic, the Santa Maria

directions

the north, the south, the west, the east

adjectives, to refer to

a group of people the rich, the French, the elderly

ordinal numbers

the first, the second, the third, the fourth

Article Rules: Zero Article

with years : 2005, 1402, 1990

with languages : French, German

with Island : Cyprus, Rhodes

with lakes : Lake Victoria

with meals : breakfast, dinner

with seasons/months : Winter, May

festivals : Easter, Oktoberfest

with days : Monday, Friday

Article Rules: Zero Article

with continents : Asia, Africa with countries : Italy, Turkey

with cities/towns : Paris, London with streets : Rose Street

with airports : London Gatwick

with mountains : Everest

with games : baseball, tennis

with proper nouns : Beyoncé