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Articles — a, an, the
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a, an, the — small words, big job
- Articles help introduce or identify an English noun phrase. Chinese expresses these meanings differently; do not translate articles word for word.
- a / an can introduce one item the reader has not identified yet. the points to something the reader can identify.
- Sometimes we use no article at all.
Your goal: choose an article from the meaning of a message, then explain or repair the choice. Start with A1 singular and plural nouns if those are new.
A cat came in. The cat now owns the sofa.
a / an — introducing one
- Use before a singular countable noun: a book, an apple.
- a before a consonant sound; an before a vowel sound.
- Listen to the sound: an hour (h is silent), a university (it starts "yu-").
An article is one kind of determiner: a word before a noun that helps identify it. Other determiners include my, this and your. You can say my bag without adding a or the.
a or an? Listen to the sound
Choose a / an by the SOUND that follows, not the letter.
Choose the correct article: I waited for ___ hour.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
“hour” starts with a vowel sound (h is silent) → an hour.
Translate into English: 她是一名工程师。
난이도 3/5 · 200 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
She is an engineer is one model: an precedes the vowel sound. She works as an engineer also fits, and a faithful different profession frame can be natural. Check the whole noun phrase, not only whether a fixed string appears.
the — the specific one
- Use the when we both know which one: Close the door.
- For something mentioned again: I saw a cat. The cat was black.
- Use the when the setting identifies the object, as in the sun in our sky. The best photo is a common superlative noun phrase, but my best photo uses my instead of the.
Complete with a, an or the: ___ sun is very bright today.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The sun is identifiable in this everyday Earth-based context, so use The. A/an would introduce a different sun rather than refer to the one meant here.
zero article — no word at all
- Plural / uncountable nouns in general: I like music. Cats are cute.
- Names of people, most countries, cities: Tom, China, Beijing.
- Common phrases include go to school / bed / work. Go to school can mean attend as a student; go to the school can refer to an identified school building. The choice can change the meaning.
Talking about music in general — is “I like the music.” correct?
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
For music in general, use no article: “I like music.”
Common mistakes
- ❌ I want to be teacher. → ✓ I want to be a teacher. — this singular job noun needs a determiner.
- ❌ I went to home. → ✓ I went home. — use the fixed direction phrase go home.
- ❌ He plays the football every Saturday. → ✓ He plays football every Saturday. We mean the sport in general. Play the piano is a common pattern for an instrument; it is not a rule that every possible use of an instrument name needs the.
Which article? Match each phrase.
난이도 2/5 · 140 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Use the for the identified sun, an before the vowel sound in hour, a before the consonant sound in university, and no article in the fixed phrase go to bed.
Is this correct? “She plays the piano.”
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
She plays the piano is a standard correct pattern. Play football names the sport without an article. These examples do not mean every possible instrument phrase requires the.
- a / an can introduce one item (an before a vowel sound).
- the points to something identifiable from the message or situation. Another determiner can fill its place: my best friend, not my the best friend.
- No article for general plurals / uncountables and most names.
Write one sentence that uses “the” for something specific (for example: the door, the teacher, the book on your desk).
난이도 3/5 · 200 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Example: “Please open the window.” (a specific window we both know)
Three worked decisions
First mention, then the same thing. “Mina found a key. The key was under her chair.” The first sentence introduces one key; the second points back to it. “A key” again could introduce a different key, so it would not make the link as clear.
Sound after the article. “We need an empty box, but a useful bag.” The first sound of empty is a vowel; useful begins with a consonant sound like “y”. The adjective immediately after the article matters, not just the noun's spelling.
General or particular? “I enjoy music. The music at yesterday's concert was too loud.” The first statement is a general preference; the second names a particular performance. Removing the from the second changes that clear reference.
If you speak Chinese, a short English message may need an article even when the Chinese message has no matching word. Check the meaning of the whole noun phrase; do not add a before every noun. A possessive already does the job: my bag, not the my bag. Use the guided questions below to practise the decisions.
Introduce one suitcase that the reader has not identified: A visitor arrived with ___ small suitcase.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Small starts with a consonant sound, and this introduces one suitcase. An does not match the sound; the would assume an identified suitcase. Repair by saying a small suitcase.
The next word begins with a vowel sound. Choose: ___ old notebook.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Old begins with a vowel sound, so an old notebook works. A mismatches that sound, and a singular countable notebook needs a determiner here.
You have already introduced one parcel. Continue: ___ parcel is for Jo.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The points back to the parcel already introduced. A could introduce a different parcel; an also mismatches the consonant sound. Link the two sentences with the parcel.
We mean all dogs, not a particular group. Choose: ___ dogs need exercise.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
General plural dogs takes no article here. A and an introduce a singular noun, so neither fits dogs. Repair the whole phrase to Dogs need exercise.
We mean the one window beside the desk. Choose: Please open ___ window beside the desk.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The description identifies a particular window. An mismatches the sound, and bare singular window needs a determiner. Use the window beside the desk.
The first sound of uniform is like y. Choose: a new employee needs ___ uniform.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Uniform begins with a consonant sound, so use a uniform. An follows a vowel sound; no article leaves this singular countable noun without a determiner.
The h in hour is silent. Choose: We have ___ hour before the train.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Hour starts with a vowel sound, so an hour works. A uses the wrong sound pattern; no article does not fit one countable hour here.
We mean music as a general interest. Choose: Jo loves ___ music.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
No article fits the general interest. The would refer to identified music; a does not fit music in this general use. Contrast Jo loves music with Jo loves the music in this film.
My already identifies the owner. Choose: This is ___ my coat.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
My is already a determiner, so do not add an article before it. Both a my coat and the my coat combine determiners incorrectly. Repair to This is my coat.
The following adjective starts with a vowel sound. Choose: It was ___ unusual day.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The word after the article is unusual, which starts with a vowel sound. A does not match; no article does not fit this singular day. Use an unusual day.
Choose a standard noun phrase identifying your most valued friend.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
My already introduces the superlative noun phrase, so do not add the as well. The best friend can be a different noun phrase in another context. Repair: check the whole phrase instead of adding the before every superlative. Fresh check: write a phrase with her and oldest.
Make fresh choices
Try the next twenty decisions without returning to the worked examples. Choose the option that fits the whole message. After feedback, explain the key clue in your own words and revise a mistake before continuing. You can split this practice over two sessions; these are learning activities, not an exam or an A2 certificate.
Leo has started work as ___ dentist.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Dentist names one job and starts with a consonant sound. An uses the wrong sound; no article leaves the singular job noun bare. Use as a dentist.
Please bring ___ umbrella. Any umbrella is fine.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Any umbrella is acceptable, so introduce one with an. A mismatches the vowel sound; the would identify a particular umbrella. Say an umbrella.
Someone gave me a badge at reception. ___ badge has my name on it.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The second sentence refers to the badge just introduced. A could introduce a different badge; an also mismatches badge. Link it with The badge.
Talking about bicycles in general: ___ bicycles take up less space than cars.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
General plural bicycles needs no article here. A and an cannot directly introduce this plural noun. Repair to Bicycles take up less space.
She sent ___ email to ask about a room. It was her first message to that address.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Email is singular countable here and begins with a vowel sound. A mismatches that sound; no article is missing a determiner. Use an email.
There are two doors, one red and one blue. Please use ___ red door.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Red identifies which door to use. An mismatches the consonant sound; no article leaves singular door without a determiner. Use the red door.
I need ___ useful guide to the city. I have not chosen one yet.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Useful begins with a consonant sound like y, and no particular guide is identified. An follows the wrong sound; bare singular guide needs a determiner. Use a useful guide.
We expect ___ honest answer, whatever the answer is.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Honest starts with a vowel sound because h is silent. A mismatches that sound; bare singular answer needs a determiner. Use an honest answer.
This hotel has only one lift. ___ lift is out of order.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The reader can identify the hotel’s one lift. An mismatches lift, and no article leaves singular lift bare. Use The lift.
On Saturdays, Noor plays ___ basketball with her friends.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Basketball names the sport in this sentence. A or an would not fit this general activity, and an also mismatches the sound. Use plays basketball.
This is my brother's case. Please do not open ___ case.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The request refers to the case just identified. An mismatches case; no article leaves singular case bare. Keep the reference clear with the case.
I enjoy ___ science, especially biology.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Science names the subject as a general interest. A or an would introduce one countable instance rather than this general subject; an also mismatches the sound. Use enjoy science.
We need ___ new assistant. We have not selected anyone yet.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
New begins with a consonant sound; the following assistant is singular. An incorrectly follows new, and no article leaves the singular phrase bare. Use a new assistant.
Jay bought a postcard and an envelope. He put the postcard in ___ envelope.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The envelope is the one already introduced. A could introduce another envelope; no article leaves singular envelope bare. Use in the envelope.
This is ___ one-way street, so do not drive the other way.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
One begins with a consonant sound like w. A one-way street is the correct pattern; an follows the wrong sound, and bare singular street needs a determiner.
For the ordinary country name, choose: We travelled through ___ France.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The ordinary country name France takes no article here. A and an would require a different meaning or description, and an also mismatches France. Use through France.
Please bring ___ your ticket to the desk.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Your already identifies the ticket. A your ticket and the your ticket combine determiners incorrectly. Repair to bring your ticket.
I have never owned ___ electric bike, but I would like to try one.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Electric starts with a vowel sound and the phrase introduces one countable bike. A mismatches electric; no article leaves the singular phrase bare. Use an electric bike.
Both of ___ screens we used in this room today are broken.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The clause identifies which two screens are meant, and both of takes the identified group here. A and an cannot introduce plural screens. Use both of the screens.
This is ___ ID card. It belongs to a new visitor.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
ID is read as the letter names eye-dee, beginning with a vowel sound. A mismatches that sound; no article leaves singular card bare. Use an ID card.
Transfer to a message
Write a short lost-property message: introduce one umbrella, describe its colour, and ask whether anyone has seen the same umbrella. Then compare with the model/checklist. Several messages can work; the model is an example, not the only acceptable wording.
The two transfer decisions below use different situations from the teaching examples.
Choose the clearest lost-property message about one bag, mentioned for the first time.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
A bag introduces the missing object; the bag then refers to it. The first option leaves singular bag bare; the last uses an before a consonant and does not clearly link the same bag. Repair to a bag, then the bag.
You and a colleague can see one printer beside the only door. Which instruction clearly identifies it?
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The shared setting identifies both objects, so the printer and the door are clear. Bare singular nouns in the second option need determiners; an mismatches both consonant sounds in the third. Point to the identified objects with the.
Write a short lost-property message: introduce one umbrella, describe it as purple, and ask whether anyone has seen that same umbrella. Write before revealing the model.
Compare the meaning and noun phrases with your own message. Revise one problem and explain the change. Several wordings meet the checklist; this is self-review, not an automatic correctness or improvement score.
A parent says, “I’m going to the school to collect a lost bag.” Which reading fits the stated purpose?
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The identified school is the destination for collecting the bag. The sentence does not make the parent a student or refer to every school. Go to school can instead describe attending as a student. Repair: retain the purpose rather than treating the two phrases as identical. Fresh check: explain a reason for a visitor to use the school.
Come back before you reread
Tomorrow, close the examples and try the two review questions. Explain why a tempting alternative changes the meaning. Then write a new two-sentence message introducing an object and referring to it again. Opening a review link alone does not demonstrate recall; the workspace records later recall only when the same objective has an earlier successful answer at least a day before.
Next: countability and quantity phrases. If a/an is still difficult, revisit the sound contrast in step 7; if the is difficult, identify what the reader already knows before you try another message.
Grammar guidance checked 2026-10-20: British Council, articles. The messages, questions and explanations in this extension are originally authored.
Further usage guidance: Cambridge, superlative noun phrases. Independent language/key review remains pending.
A notice says: I found a wallet. Please ask at reception for ___ wallet.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
The wallet refers back to the one found. A could introduce another wallet; an mismatches wallet. Recall the introduce-then-refer pattern: a wallet, then the wallet.
Choose the phrase that fits: This task needs ___ experienced helper.
난이도 1/5 · 100 코인 + 오늘 첫 완료 시 소액 보너스
Experienced begins with a vowel sound, so an is needed before this singular noun phrase. A mismatches the sound; no article leaves helper bare. Say an experienced helper before explaining why.