Articles (A/An & The)

Articles (A/An & The)

by Daniel Pineda

​Definite & Indefinite Articles

​In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective.

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The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader.

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The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known.

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There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.

​Rule #1 - Specific identity not known: Use the indefinite article a or an only with a singular count noun whose specific identity is not known to the reader. Use a before nouns that begin with a consonant sound, and use an before nouns that begin with a vowel sound.

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​Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.

I think an animal is in the garage That man is a scoundrel. We are looking for an apartment.

• Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).

I own a cat and two dogs.

• Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound.

a boy, an apple

◊ Sometimes an adjective comes between the article and noun:

an unhappy boy, a red apple

• The plural form of a or an is some. Use some to indicate an unspecified, limited amount (but more than one).

an apple, some apples

Rule #2 - Specific identity known: Use the definite article the with any noun (whether singular or plural, count or noncount) when the specific identity of the noun is known to the reader, as in the following situations:​

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• Use the article the when a particular noun has already been mentioned previously.

I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious.

• Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity.

The boy sitting next to me raised his hand. Thank you for the advice you gave me.

• Use the article the when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique.

the theory of relativity the 2003 federal budget

Rule #3 - All things or things in general: Use no article with plural count nouns or any noncount nouns used to mean all or in general.

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​Trees are beautiful in the fall. (All trees are beautiful in the fall.)He was asking for advice. (He was asking for advice in general.)I do not like coffee. (I do not like all coffee in general.)

Multiple Choice

I have ________ test tomorrow morning.

• an
• a
• the
• -

Multiple Choice

They have ___ new car.

• a
• an
• the
• -

Multiple Choice

I often have ___ dinner out.

• a
• an
• the
• -

Multiple Choice

It took him ___ hour to get dressed!

• a
• an
• the
• x

Multiple Choice

That book I gave you... Did you read ___ last chapter?

• a
• an
• the
• x

Multiple Choice

She couldn't come. She had ___ appointment. That's all I know.

• a
• an
• the
• x

Multiple Choice

I have been ___ university teacher for 25 years now.

• a
• an
• the
• x

Multiple Choice

Did you see his apartment? I love what he did to ___ place.

• a
• an
• the
• x

Multiple Choice

I forgot to bring my pen. Do you have ... pen I could borrow?

• ✘
• a
• an
• the