Indefinite Articles

INDEFINITE ARTICLES

Open Ended

What is an article? Type some examples.

INDEFINITE ARTICLES

INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A AND AN

What Are Articles?

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. 

The definite article is the.

The indefinite article is a / an.

The Definite Article

We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:

The Indefinite Article

The indefinite article takes two forms. It’s the word a when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant. It’s the word an when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel. The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing.

a - an

• We will meet in an hour

• She works in a hospital

• How long does it take on the train?

Important!

The indefinite article only appears with singular nouns. 

Example:

After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.

By using the article a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of tea would taste good after any long day.

Poll

Children don´t go to school ____on Sundays.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

Mary is ____ secondary school student.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

Has the town got ____ airport?

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

Sarah lives in ____ old house.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

John speaks ____ Chinese.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

____ plants produce chlorophyll.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

____ art is a way of self-expression.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

____ car that is over there is ours.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

____ school´s playground is big.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

What do we use indefinite articles for?

• For singular nouns.

• For plural nouns

• For plural and singular nouns

• For fun!

Multiple Choice

Read the statement and choose the correct answer. We use a before a consonant

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

We use an before a vowel sound.

• False

• True

Multiple Choice

Instructions: Choose the correct article for the word ___ Cell-phone

• an

• first answer is correct.

• a

• Third answer is incorrect

Multiple Choice

Which of these words go with the article an?

• book

• pencil

• class

• umbrella

Multiple Choice

Which of these words go with the article a?

• ambulance

• unforgetable

• imagination

• house

Multiple Choice

Which of these words go with the article an ?

• hospital

• hotel

• hour

• home

Multiple Choice

Which of these words go with the article a ?

• apple

• cell-phone

• orange

• eraser

Multiple Choice

Is this sentence correct? It is a house white

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Is this statement correct? Messi is a great soccer player.

• true

• false

A and An

Indefinite articles are used when we are referring to an unspecified thing or quantity.

We use them when we don’t know (or don’t care) which thing we’re talking about.

How to Use the Indefinite Articles A vs. An

The general rule is to use a when the indefinite article precedes a word beginning with a consonant sound and an when it precedes a word starting with a vowel sound.

Use a when the indefinite article comes before a word beginning with a consonant sound:

A doctor

A dog

A bottle 

A mouse

Use an when the indefinite article comes before a word beginning with a vowel sound:

An apple 

An idea 

An operation 

An orange

Let's practice!

Write a or an according to each case, remember the rules and do your best!