Everything you need to use articles correctly: the formula, when to use it, signal words, common mistakes and exercises with answers.
An article goes before a noun to show whether it is meant generally or specifically. A / an - the indefinite article: a + noun starting with a consonant sound | an + noun starting with a vowel sound; The - the definite article: the + noun (singular, plural or uncountable); Zero article (Ø) - no article at all: Ø + noun (plurals and uncountables used in general). Signal words: a / an (indefinite), the (definite), Ø (no article - speaking in general), first mention → a/an, second mention → the, unique → the (the sun, the moon).
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A / an - the indefinite article | a + noun starting with a consonant sound | an + noun starting with a vowel sound a cat, a house, a university (pronounced /juː/) | an apple, an hour (the h is silent) | I saw a cat. The cat was black. It depends on the first SOUND, not the letter: an hour (silent h), a university (/juː/) |
| The - the definite article | the + noun (singular, plural or uncountable) the sun, the President, the book you gave me | Please close the door. Use 'the' when it has been mentioned before, when there is only one, or when a clause identifies it |
| Zero article (Ø) - no article at all | Ø + noun (plurals and uncountables used in general) Cats are cute. (cats in general) | I like music. (music in general) | I love music. (nói chung) Proper names, countries and cities take no 'the': Vietnam, Hanoi. Exceptions: the USA, the UK |
First mention: a/an. After that: the
the + something there is only one of
No article with plural or uncountable nouns used in a general sense
'the' is normally left out before names of people, cities and countries
| Word | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| a | I have a dog. | A singular countable noun, mentioned for the first time |
| an | She ate an apple. | Before a vowel sound: a, e, i, o, u |
| the | The book on the table is mine. | Both speakers know which one is meant |
| Ø (zero) | I like coffee. | Uncountable or plural nouns used in a general sense |
Fill in the blank, then open the answer to check it.
Options: a · an · the · —
an. 'elephant' starts with the vowel sound /e/, so 'an'. It is also the first mention.
Options: A · An · The · —
The. There is only one sun, so it takes 'the'.
Options: a · an · the · —
an. 'honest' begins with a silent h and the vowel sound /ɒ/, so 'an'.
Options: a · an · the · —
a. 'university' begins with the consonant sound /juː/, so 'a', not 'an'.
Options: A · An · The · —
—. 'water' is uncountable and meant in general, so no article.
Options: a · an · the · —
the. A specific salt on the table takes 'the': both speakers know which one.
Options: a · an · the · —
a. Jobs take a/an: She is a teacher.
Options: A · An · The · —
—. 'Children' is plural and meant in general, so no article.
Options: A · An · The · —
The. On the second mention it takes 'the': both speakers know which car.
Options: A · An · The · —
The. Rivers take 'the': the Mekong, the Nile, the Amazon.
Options: a · an · the · —
—. Cities take no 'the': Hanoi, Paris, Tokyo.
Options: a · an · the · —
the. Musical instruments take 'the': play the piano, the guitar, the violin.
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