GRAMMAR: ARTICLES - A, AN, THE

 

We use words before other words. These words are a, an, and the. They help us talk about things.

Part 1: A & An - One Thing

We use "a" and "an" when we talk about one thing. It is not a special thing, it is any one thing.

·         Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound (like b, c, d, f, g).

·         Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).

Look at the pictures:

(Picture of a cat)
A cat
(We use "a" because "cat" starts with a 'c' sound.)

(Picture of an apple)
An apple
(We use "an" because "apple" starts with an 'a' sound.)

More Examples:

·         I have a book.

·         She eats an egg.

·         He is a boy.

·         It is an old car.

 

Part 2: The - The Special Thing

We use "the" when we talk about one special thing. The listener knows which one we mean.

When to use "The":

1.     We know the thing.

o    "Look at the cat on the chair!" (We can see the cat and the chair. They are right there.)

2.     There is only one.

o    The sun is hot.

o    The sky is blue.

3.     We talk about it again.

o    "I see a dog. The dog is big." (First we say "a dog". The second time, we say "the dog" because now we know which dog.)

 

Let's Practice! Exercises

Exercise 1: Circle the Word

Circle the correct word: a, an, or the.

1.     I see (a / an / the) moon in the sky.

2.     She has (a / an / the) new bag.

3.     Can you open (a / an / the) door, please?

4.     He is (a / an / the) honest man.

5.     I read (a / an / the) book. (The / A) book was very good.

6.     We live in (a / an / the) old house.

7.     Do you want (a / an / the) apple or (a / an / the) banana?

8.     (The / A) sun is a star.

 

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Write a, an, or the in the blank. If no word is needed, leave it blank.

1.     I want to buy ___ new pen.

2.     She is ___ good friend.

3.     Please pass me ___ salt.

4.     He has ___ idea.

5.     They live in ___ big city.

6.     Look at ___ birds in the tree!

7.     I need ___ hour to finish.

8.     ___ milk is good for you.

 

Answer Key

Exercise 1:

1.     the (There is only one moon.)

2.     a ("new" starts with an 'n' sound.)

3.     the (We know which door - the one you are near.)

4.     an ("honest" starts with an 'o' sound because the 'h' is silent.)

5.     a, The (First we say "a book". The second time, we say "the book".)

6.     an ("old" starts with an 'o' sound.)

7.     an, a ("apple" starts with an 'a' sound, "banana" starts with a 'b' sound.)

8.     The (There is only one sun.)

Exercise 2:

1.     a

2.     a

3.     the (We know which salt - the one on the table.)

4.     an ("idea" starts with an 'i' sound.)

5.     a

6.     the (We know which birds - the ones in the tree.)

7.     an ("hour" starts with an 'o' sound because the 'h' is silent.)

8.      

o    (We talk about milk in general, not specific milk.)