article a, an, the, ---

Articles (a, an, the, none)

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.

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

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.

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.

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

There is __________ lamp on the table.

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

It's raining.

Do you have ____ umbrella?

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

This is a car.

_______ car is my father's.

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

My mother asks me to buy ______ onion.

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

The eskimos build _______ igloo.

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

My sister doesn't like to eat spinach. ________ spinach tastes bad.

• a

• the

• an

Multiple Choice

_____ sun is so hot today.

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

My teacher asks us to write _____ essay.

• a

• an

• the

Multiple Choice

I have ______ cat. _______ cat is so cute and fluffy.

• a, an

• a, the

• an, the

Multiple Choice

A famous detective and his deputy were walking in ____ forest. ____ forest was dark and a little bit frightening.

• the, the

• an, the

• a, the

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

• 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

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

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

​There are exceptions to #Rule 2:

• ​For words that start with the sound/pronounciation "yu"; you have to use the article "a" instead.

​for examples:

• ​a university

• ​a uniform

• ​a european

• ​a unit

​#Rule 3: The Article "the"

• ​"the" is used to state the specific, and uncountable nouns, like the sun or the ocean.

​​For examples:

• ​This is an umbrella. The umbrella is colourful. (specific)

• ​The sugar is so sweet. (uncountable)

• ​The moon is really beautiful today. (specific)

Fill in the Blanks

Do you wear 

uniform to school?

Fill in the Blanks

Where are

children?

Multiple Choice

There is ___. statue of ___unicorn in front of the building.

• a , a

• a, an

• an , a

• an, an

Multiple Choice

Sarah took ___ picture of the elephant with ___ camera.

• a , a

• a ,an

• an , a

• an , an

Multiple Choice

Husna bought ___new iphone yesterday.

• a

• an

Multiple Choice

Humayy eats ___slice of watermelon and ___orange forlunch.

• a , a

• a, an

• an ,a

• an, an

Multiple Choice

I live in ___ apartment, not ___ villa.

• a,a

• an, a

• a, the

• an, the

Multiple Choice

We will watch ___ action movie in ___ Dubai.

• an. the

• a, the

• the, the

• an, 0

Multiple Choice

We traveled to ___ Thailand by ___ plane.

• the, a

• the, 0

• 0, the

• 0, 0

Multiple Choice

In ___ Abu Dhabi there is ___ museum called ___ Louvre.

• an, a, the

• the, a, 0

• 0, a, the

• 0, 0, 0

Multiple Choice

My mother is ____ nurse and my father is ____ engineer.

• a, a

• a, an

• the, a

Multiple Choice

I met ____ boy.

____ boy is very tall.

• a, a

• the, a

• a, The

Multiple Choice

Kamil and Brian love to eat at _______ cafe beside their school because it has ______ most delicious waffles.

• a, the

• an, the

• the, the

• the, a

Multiple Choice

"I have ________ important project to finish. Can you give me _______ few hours?" Ismail asked his friend.

• a, a

• a, an

• an, a

• an, the

Multiple Choice

There is __________ big living room in my house. There is also _______ aquarium in that space.

• a, a

• a, an

• an, a

• an, the

Multiple Choice

My friend is playing with ..............bat I gifted him.

• a
• the
• no article
• none of the above