Articles: A/An/The
Use a/an for general or first mention; the for specific or known items
When to Use
- •A/An: first mention of singular countable nouns: I saw a cat.
- •A/An: one of many, not specific: She is an engineer.
- •The: specific/known to listener: The cat on the roof is loud.
- •The: unique things: the sun, the internet.
- •Zero article: plural/general or uncountable when speaking generally: Cats are independent; Water is essential.
How to Form
Affirmative (+)
A before consonant sound; an before vowel sound; the for specific/known nouns
Negative (-)
Same articles; use not + article + noun as needed
Question (?)
Is there a/an ...? / Where is the ...?
💡 Choose by sound, not spelling (an hour). Omit article with plural/uncountable when speaking generally.
Examples
✓I bought a book.
✗I bought the book (first mention).
Use a/an for first mention/general.
✓She is an honest person.
✗She is a honest person.
Use an before vowel sound /ɒ/.
✓Where is the station?
✗Where is a station?
The listener knows which station (specific).
✓Water is essential.
✗The water is essential (general statement).
Zero article for uncountable when speaking generally.
Common Mistakes
💡 Practice Tips
- • Ask: specific/known? → the. First mention/general? → a/an.
- • Use an before vowel SOUND (an hour, an MBA).
- • No article for general plural/uncountable: Milk is healthy; Dogs are loyal.
- • Second mention typically uses the: I saw a movie. The movie was great.