Articles — a, an, the

Reference

Common mistakes

1. She is an student. → She is a student.
   "st" is a consonant sound
2. The life is short. → Life is short.
   General meaning → no article
3. I play the football. → I play football.
   Sports → no article
4. She is from the Spain. → She is from Spain.
   Most countries → no article

Articles — a, an, the — Exercises

a or an?

1. _____ apple (an / a)
2. _____ university (a / an)
3. _____ hour (an / a)
4. _____ big dog (a / an)
5. _____ old car (an / a)
6. _____ European country (a / an)
7. _____ honest man (an / a)
8. _____ umbrella (an / a)

a, an, the or — (no article)?

1. I saw _____ cat. _____ cat was black.   
2. She loves _____ music. 
3. He lives in _____ Paris. 
4. Open _____ door, please. 
5. _____ dogs are friendly animals. (in general) 

Articles — a, an, the — Answer Key

a or an?

1. an — Vowel sound /æ/ → an apple.
2. a — /juː/ sounds like a consonant → a university.
3. an — Silent h, vowel sound /aʊ/ → an hour.
4. a — /b/ consonant sound → a big dog.
5. an — Vowel sound /əʊ/ → an old car.
6. a — /j/ sounds like a consonant → a European country.
7. an — Silent h, vowel sound /ɒ/ → an honest man.
8. an — Vowel sound /ʌ/ → an umbrella.

a, an, the or — (no article)?

1. a · The
2. —
3. —
4. the
5. —