What Are Articles in English?

Articles are words used before nouns to indicate whether something is specific or general. In English, there are two types of articles:

• Definite Article: the
• Indefinite Articles: a and an

1. Indefinite Articles: A / An

General Concept

We use a or an when referring to something for the first time or when the exact identity is not important or not known.

Rules and Usage

• Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound:
  ➤ a cat, a house, a university (note: “university” starts with a you sound)
• Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound:
  ➤ an apple, an hour (note: “hour” starts with a silent h)

Examples by Level

• A1: I have a dog.
• A2: She wants to buy an umbrella.
• B1: He’s reading a book about psychology.
• B2: It took an hour to solve a complicated problem.

2. Definite Article: The

General Concept

We use the when referring to something specific or something that both the speaker and listener know about.

When to Use The

• When the noun is already mentioned:
  ➤ I saw a movie last night. The movie was amazing.
• When there is only one of something:
  ➤ The sun is shining.
• With superlatives:
  ➤ She is the best student.
• With specific places:
  ➤ The bank, the hospital, the park
• With geographical names (some cases):
  ➤ The Amazon, the United Kingdom, the Pacific Ocean

Examples by Level

• A1: Let’s go to the park.
• A2: The teacher is in the classroom.
• B1: I love the book you gave me.
• B2: He visited the Louvre Museum during his trip to Paris.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t use articles with plural general nouns:
  ✘ I like the cats.
  ✔ I like cats.
• Don’t use a/an with uncountable nouns:
  ✘ I need a water.
  ✔ I need some water.

Quick Summary Table

Conclusion

Understanding the correct use of a, an, and the is a vital step in building accurate and fluent English. These small words help convey whether we’re talking about something specific or general, and using them correctly makes a big difference in communication.

Complete the sentences below using the correct article: a, an, or the. Scroll down to check the answer key at the end!

Level A1–A2

1. I saw ___ elephant at the zoo.
2. She is reading ___ interesting book.
3. He wants to buy ___ apple from the market.
4. Let’s go to ___ park near my house.
5. They have ___ new dog.

Level B1–B2

6. We visited ___ Eiffel Tower last summer.
7. He is ___ honest man.
8. Could you open ___ window, please?
9. I saw ___ movie you recommended – it was great!
10. She wants to work in ___ university abroad.

Extra Challenge (B1–B2)

Explain why the article is used in each of the following:

11. I need an umbrella.
12. She went to the supermarket we always go to.
13. He’s watching a documentary about space.

Answer Key

1. an
2. an
3. an
4. the
5. a
6. the
7. an
8. the
9. the
10. a
    
11. “Umbrella” starts with a vowel sound, so we use an.
12. We know which supermarket – it’s specific.
13. “A” is used for one non-specific documentary.