Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. In English, there are three articles: A, An, and The. They are classified into:

1. Definite Article:

• “The” (used to refer to a specific noun that is known to the speaker and the listener).

2. Indefinite Articles:

• “A” and “An” (used to refer to a general noun, not specified).

1. Indefinite Articles: A & An

Indefinite articles are used when referring to something for the first time or when the listener doesn’t know exactly what you’re talking about.

Rules for Using “A” and “An”

Exceptions and Important Notes:

• Use “a” before words that start with a vowel letter but sound like a consonant (e.g., a European city – ‘eu’ sounds like ‘yu’).

• Use “an” before silent consonants (e.g., an MBA – ‘M’ sounds like ‘em’).

2. Definite Article: The

The definite article “The” is used when referring to specific or previously mentioned nouns.

Rules for Using “The”

3. No Article (Ø)

Sometimes, no article is needed before certain nouns.

When to Omit Articles:

Chart for Using Articles: A/An/The/No Article

Articles Practice Exercises (A/An/The/No Article)

Fill in the blanks with A, An, The, or leave the blank empty (No article Ø).

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

1. I saw ___ elephant at the zoo.

2. She bought ___ apple and ___ banana from the market.

3. We stayed at ___ hotel near the beach.

4. He is reading ___ interesting book about history.

5. They visited ___ Eiffel Tower during their trip.

6. My father is ___ honest man.

7. I usually have ___ coffee in the morning.

8. She works as ___ engineer in a multinational company.

9. Can you pass me ___ salt, please?

10. We had ___ amazing time at the party last night.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct option

11. I watched (a/an/the/Ø) movie you recommended yesterday.

12. He is looking for (a/an/the/Ø) job in marketing.

13. My mother gave me (a/an/the/Ø) advice on my career.

14. We climbed (a/an/the/Ø) Mount Everest last year.

15. Do you play (a/an/the/Ø) guitar?

16. She adopted (a/an/the/Ø) orphan from the shelter.

17. I have never seen such (a/an/the/Ø) beautiful place before.

18. We saw (a/an/the/Ø) European city during our vacation.

19. They are watching (a/an/the/Ø) news right now.

20. I usually go to (a/an/the/Ø) school by bus.

Answer Key

Exercise 1 Answers

1. an

2. an, a

3. a

4. an

5. the

6. an

7. Ø (no article)

8. an

9. the

10. an

Exercise 2 Answers

11. the

12. a

13. Ø (no article)

14. Ø (no article)

15. the

16. an

17. a

18. a

19. the

20. Ø (no article)

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