Skip to content
Zorg Space Open the app

English grammar

a, an and the

A0 · Starter Nouns and describing Questions 10

The rule

English puts a small word in front of almost every singular noun, where Arabic and many other languages put nothing. Use a when you mention something for the first time or it does not matter which one: I need a bag. Use an instead of a before a vowel SOUND: an apple, an egg, an hour. Use the when both of you already know which one: Close the door.

Pattern

a bag · an apple · an hour | the door (we both know which one)

Examples

  1. I need a small bag.

  2. I eat an apple every day.

  3. Please close the door.

  4. The journey takes an hour.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I need bag.

    Right: I need a bag.

    A singular countable noun cannot stand alone in English.

  • Wrong: a hour

    Right: an hour

    an follows the SOUND, not the letter. hour begins with a vowel sound.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    I would like _____ coffee, please.

    1. an
    2. the
    3. —
    4. a
    Show answer

    Answer: D I would like a coffee, please.

    First mention, consonant sound → a.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    I eat _____ egg for breakfast.

    1. —
    2. the
    3. an
    4. a
    Show answer

    Answer: C I eat an egg for breakfast.

    egg starts with a vowel sound → an.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    Please close _____ window.

    1. an
    2. a
    3. the
    4. —
    Show answer

    Answer: C Please close the window.

    We both know which window → the.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    The class takes _____ hour.

    1. a
    2. the
    3. an
    4. —
    Show answer

    Answer: C The class takes an hour.

    hour sounds like our — vowel sound → an.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    She is _____ nurse.

    1. —
    2. an
    3. a
    4. the
    Show answer

    Answer: C She is a nurse.

    A job takes a or an in English.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    Where is _____ toilet, please?

    1. an
    2. —
    3. a
    4. the
    Show answer

    Answer: D Where is the toilet, please?

    The one in this building → the.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I have appointment with doctor.
    2. I have a appointment with an doctor.
    3. I have the appointment with the doctor.
    4. I have an appointment with a doctor.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I have an appointment with a doctor.

    Both articles are needed, each on its own noun.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I bought bag. Bag is very heavy.
    2. I bought the bag. A bag is very heavy.
    3. I bought a bag. A bag is very heavy.
    4. I bought a bag. The bag is very heavy.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I bought a bag. The bag is very heavy.

    Second mention → the.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    I need a new phone

    Show answer

    Answer: I need a new phone.

    The article comes before the adjective, not after it.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I want an orange.
    2. I want a apple.
    3. I want an apple.
    4. I want a banana.
    Show answer

    Answer: B I want a apple.

    an goes before a vowel sound.

Practise this lesson in Zorg Space

In the app every rule becomes interactive practice: instant correction, reviews at the moment you are about to forget, and progress you can see from level to level — free.

Start for free

More in «Nouns and describing»