A, AN, THE

Articles (a, an, the, none)

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Objectives

- By the end of the lesson, I will be able to identify the articles a/an/the in English.

- By the end of the lesson, I will be able to read short sentences and use the correct article (definite, indefinite, zero) with the noun.

What is an article?

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

For example:

- a book (this book is unspecific... just a random book.)

- an orange (unspecific)

- the Sun (there is only one... it is specific.)

There are two types of articles:

• Indefinite articles, i.e. a/an

• Definite article, i.e. the (for something specific)

Usage of Article ‘A’

‘A’ is used before a singular noun beginning

with a consonant sound.

Example: b,c,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,p,q,r,s,t,v,w,x,y,z

*a means one so this is how you can remember that you have to use it with a singular noun.

e.g. a boat and not a boats because there is only one.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct article.

Leonardo Da Vinci made __ design of a flying machine.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Usage of the Article ‘AN’

Article ‘an’ is used before a singular noun that starts with a vowel sound –

a, e, i, o, u.

Example:

An aeroplane

An elephant

An igloo

An octopus

An umbrella

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct article.

Leonardo Da Vinci was ___ artist.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct article.

Leonardo Da Vinci was ___ engineer.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Vowel/consonant sound

If the singular noun starts with a vowel but not a vowel sound, use a and not an.

university, uniform, one, euro, ... all start with a vowel but not a vowel sound so it's a university, a uniform, etc.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct article.

I bought _______ new TV set yesterday.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

He was wearing ______ ugly hat when he met him.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Multiple Choice

He is ___ European citizen.

• a

• an

• the

• no article

Usage of the Article ‘THE’

Article the is used before a noun that is specific or unique.

Example:

The Burj Khalifa

The Dubai Mall

Usually a specific noun comes after an unspecific noun.

For example:

Here is a painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. The painting is called the Mona Lisa.

We can use the with both singular and plural specific nouns!

My uncle has drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci. The drawings are very expensive.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct articles.

Leonardo Da Vinci was ___ artist. He was ___ most famous artist of his time.

• a artist / a most famous artist

• a artist / an most famous artist

• an artist / a most famous artist

• an artist / the most famous artist

No article usage

When we are talking about more than one unspecified thing (noun), we don't use any articles.

For example:

My uncle has drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci.

I have books.

Multiple Choice

Are you coming to _______ party next Saturday?

• a

• an

• the

• x

Multiple Choice

I bought _______ new painting yesterday.

• a

• an

• the

• x

Multiple Choice

I think ______ man over there is very ill. He is coughing extremely hard.

• a

• an

• the

• x

Multiple Choice

I watched _____ video you had sent me.

• a

• an

• the

• x

Multiple Choice

I am crazy about reading ______ history books.

• a

• an

• the

• x