Articles: a / an / the
Build your vocabulary with practical examples
We use 'a' before a singular countable noun when we mention it for the first time, or when it is not a specific one: a book, a car, a teacher. It means 'one of many'.
Use 'a' before a consonant SOUND, not just a consonant letter. So it's 'a book', 'a car', and even 'a university' (because it starts with a 'yoo' sound).
Examples
I am reading a book.
First mention — one book, not a specific one.
He is a teacher.
Jobs take 'a': a teacher, a doctor.
She has a car.
'a' before the consonant sound /k/.
a book
/ə bʊk/
I am reading a book.
a car
/ə kɑːr/
She has a car.
a dog
/ə dɒɡ/
There is a dog in the garden.
a house
/ə haʊs/
We live in a house.
a teacher
/ə ˈtiːtʃər/
He is a teacher.
Choose the correct article: He is ___ doctor.
Complete: There is ___ dog in the garden.
Use 'an' instead of 'a' before a word that starts with a vowel SOUND: an apple, an egg, an idea. It makes the words flow together more smoothly.
Go by sound, not spelling. 'An hour' uses 'an' because the 'h' is silent (/aʊər/). But 'a university' uses 'a' because it sounds like 'yoo'.
Examples
I want an apple.
Vowel sound /æ/ → an.
I waited an hour for you.
Silent 'h' → vowel sound → an hour.
I have an idea.
Starts with /aɪ/ → an.
an apple
/ən ˈæpəl/
I want an apple.
an egg
/ən eɡ/
She is eating an egg.
an hour
/ən ˈaʊər/
I waited an hour for you.
an umbrella
/ən ʌmˈbrɛlə/
Take an umbrella with you.
an idea
/ən aɪˈdɪə/
I have an idea.
Choose the correct article: I waited ___ hour.
Complete: She is eating ___ egg.
We use 'the' when it is clear WHICH thing we mean — because we already mentioned it, because there is only one, or because the context makes it obvious: the sun, the door (of this room), the book you gave me.
'The' works with singular, plural and uncountable nouns, and it sounds the same whether the next word starts with a vowel or consonant.
Examples
The sun is hot today.
There is only one sun → the.
Please close the door.
We both know which door → the.
I finished the book you gave me.
A specific, known book → the.
the sun
/ðə sʌn/
The sun is hot today.
the moon
/ðə muːn/
Look at the moon tonight.
the door
/ðə dɔːr/
Please close the door.
the book
/ðə bʊk/
I finished the book you gave me.
the world
/ðə wɜːld/
She wants to travel the world.
Choose the correct article: Look at ___ moon tonight.
Complete: Please close ___ door.
Sometimes we use NO article at all. This happens with uncountable nouns and plural nouns when we talk about things in general: I love music, Cats are independent, Water is essential.
We also use no article with most names of people, cities and countries: London is big, English is spoken worldwide. Add 'the' only when you mean a specific group (the cats in my street).
Examples
Water is essential for life.
Uncountable, general → no article.
Cats are independent animals.
Plural, general statement → no article.
London is a big city.
City name → no article.
water
/ˈwɔːtər/
Water is essential for life.
music
/ˈmjuːzɪk/
I love music.
cats
/kæts/
Cats are independent animals.
London
/ˈlʌndən/
London is a big city.
English
/ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
English is spoken worldwide.
Choose the best option: ___ are independent animals.
Leave it blank if no article is needed — type 'x': I love ___ music.
Ready to practise?
Drill these words with interactive flashcards — your progress is saved locally on your device.
Next
Verb "to be"