Table of Articles A, An, The

NUMBER INDEFINITE DEFINITE

Singular (only one) a / an the
Plural (many) - the
Non-Count () - the

Quick Hints
a before consonants (a book)
an before vowels (an exam)
Pronunciation is what matters.
an hour ('h' is silent and it's pronounced: an our)
"The" with superlative forms (He is the smartest kid I have seen.)
Rules of Articles

Articles Rule 1: With singular count nouns, use 'a' if indefinite or "the" if definite.

My daughter wants to buy a dog this weekend. ()
The dog in the backyard is very cute.

Examples

1. He requested a puppy for his birthday.
2. He wanted the puppy he played with at the pet shop.
3. She ordered a hamburger without onions.
4. Did you drink the coke I just ordered?

Articles Rule 2: With plural count nouns use either "the" or nothing, never 'a'.

1.Come and look at the children.
2.Children are always curious.
3.She loves flowers. (indefinite)
4.The flowers in her garden are beautiful. (definite)


Articles Rule 3: With non-count nouns, use either "the" or nothing.

He has experience. (if indefinite or mentioned for the first time)
He has the experience necessary for the job. (if definite or mentioned before)

1.The medicine the doctor prescribed had unpleasant side effects.
2.Writing in a second language is especially challenging.
3.Have you studied the history of South Africa?
4.History reminds us that events repeat themselves.

2. Names of Countries
Some countries are preceded by "the", usually if the name is plural, contains an adjective, or includes "of".
The United States The Soviet Union The Republic of Congo
America Russia Spain
Japan Chine Mexico

3. Cities and Streets use nothing

Chicago Fifth Avenue San Francisco
Highway 5 London Kennedy blvd.


4. Rivers, Oceans, Seas, Groups of Mountains & Islands use "the"

the Amazon the Atlantic the Mediterranean
the Cascades the Hawaiian Islands the Bahamas








1. When Joe was a child, he went to school in ____ Bristol .
A the B ____ C an D a
2. Charlie can't afford to go to another country on holiday this year. So he's going to have _ UK holiday this year.
A the B a C an D ____
3. We went to a cafe after the movie and had _ coffee.
A ____ B an C a D the
4. My brother is _ doctor in a hospital in Manchester.
A _____ B a C the D an
5. I need _____ new shoes. These ones are old and they have holes in them.
A the B an C a D _____
6. Could you pass me ___ pepper please?
A an B the C a D ____
7. I don't know why they are building _ hospital in the city centre. Bristol already has three hospitals.
A a B ____ C some D an
8. Sally, Pete is on ___ telephone. He wants to ask you a question.
A an B a C _____ D the
9. When Obedan got home from school, he went into his room, put his bag on ___ floor and sat down in his
favourite armchair.
A an B _____ C a D the
10. I don't think people will ever live on ___ moon because there is no air up there.
A a B the C _____ D an




Bbcbdbaddb
Choose the correct definite or indefinite article: "the", "a", "an" or "x" (zero article) .
1. I bought (a, an) pair of shoes.
2. I saw (a, the) movie last night.
3. They are staying at (a, an) hotel.
4. I think (a, The) man over there is very unfriendly.
5. I do not like Xa basketball.
6. That is (a, the) problem I told you about.
7. A,The night is quiet. Let's take a walk!
8. (A, The) price of gas keeps rising.
9. John traveled to (X, the) Mexico.
10. Juan is (X, the) Spanish.
11. I read (a, an) amazing story yesterday.
12. My brother does not eat (X, a) chicken.
13. (The, X) love is such (a, an) beautiful thing.
14. I live in (a, an) apartment. (A, The) apartment is new.
15. I would like (a, an) piece of cake.