Articles
a, an, the and the zero article.
We use the indefinite articles a and an before a singular countable noun when we talk about it for the first time or when it is not a special, known one (I have a dog; She is a teacher). The choice between a and an depends on the SOUND at the start of the next word, not the spelling: we use a before a consonant sound (a book, a university, a European country, because 'university' begins with a /yu/ sound) and an before a vowel sound (an apple, an hour, an honest girl, because the 'h' in 'hour' and 'honest' is silent). We use the definite article the when both the speaker and the listener know exactly which thing we mean, for the second mention of something, or for things that are unique in the world (the sun, the moon, the Earth, the President of Azerbaijan). We use no article at all (the zero article) when we talk in general about plural countable nouns (Dogs are friendly; Children like games) and about uncountable nouns (Water is important; I like music). We also usually use no article before most names of people, languages, meals and sports (We play football; She speaks English; I have breakfast at seven). For example: 'I saw a cat in the garden. The cat was black, and now I love cats.'
Rules
- 1Use a/an for a singular countable noun mentioned for the first time or not specific: 'I bought a pen.', 'She is an artist.'
- 2Choose a or an by the SOUND, not the spelling: a before a consonant sound (a house, a university), an before a vowel sound (an egg, an hour, an honest man).
- 3Use the for something specific that both people know, for the second mention, and for unique things: 'the sun', 'the book on the table', 'Close the door.'
- 4Use no article (zero article) with general plural nouns and uncountable nouns: 'Dogs are loyal.', 'Water is healthy.', 'I like music.'
- 5Use no article before most names, languages, meals and sports: 'I speak English.', 'We have lunch at noon.', 'They play tennis.'
Practice
10 easy · 10 medium · 10 hard