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English grammar

a, the, or nothing

A2 · Elementary Nouns and describing Questions 10

The rule

Use a/an the first time you mention something, and the once both of you know which one is meant: I bought a coat. The coat was expensive. Use no article at all for a plural or an uncountable noun spoken about in general: I like coffee. Children learn quickly. the also goes in front of anything there is only one of nearby: the station, the doctor, the manager.

Pattern

first time: a / an · both know which: the · in general (plural or uncountable): no article

Examples

  1. I bought a coat. The coat was too big.

  2. I like coffee in the morning.

  3. The station is at the end of this street.

  4. Children learn languages quickly.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I like the coffee in the morning.

    Right: I like coffee in the morning.

    A general statement about a drink takes no article.

  • Wrong: I bought the coat yesterday, you do not know it.

    Right: I bought a coat yesterday.

    The first mention takes a.

Practice questions

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

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    She works in _____ hospital near the park.

    1. the
    2. an
    3. a
    4. no article
    Show answer

    Answer: C She works in a hospital near the park.

    First mention takes a.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    Could you close _____ window, please?

    1. a
    2. an
    3. the
    4. no article
    Show answer

    Answer: C Could you close the window, please?

    Both of you know which window.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    I do not eat _____ meat.

    1. the
    2. an
    3. a
    4. no article
    Show answer

    Answer: D I do not eat no article meat.

    A general statement takes no article.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    He is _____ electrician.

    1. an
    2. the
    3. no article
    4. a
    Show answer

    Answer: A He is an electrician.

    A job takes a or an; electrician starts with a vowel sound.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    _____ people in my street are very friendly.

    1. The
    2. An
    3. No article
    4. A
    Show answer

    Answer: A The people in my street are very friendly.

    A particular group both know takes the.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I need a new phone.
    2. I need the new phone.
    3. I need an new phone.
    4. I need new phone.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I need a new phone.

    First mention of one thing takes a.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Cars are expensive in this country.
    2. Car are expensive in this country.
    3. The cars are expensive in this country.
    4. A cars are expensive in this country.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Cars are expensive in this country.

    A plural in general takes no article.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I go to school by bus.
    2. I go to work by bus.
    3. I go to the work by bus.
    4. I go to the office by bus.
    Show answer

    Answer: C I go to the work by bus.

    work in this sense takes no article.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. She is a nurse.
    2. She is an engineer.
    3. She is a engineer.
    4. She is an electrician.
    Show answer

    Answer: C She is a engineer.

    A vowel sound takes an.

  10. 10Put the words in the right order.

    I saw a doctor about the pain

    Show answer

    Answer: I saw a doctor about the pain.

    a for the first mention, the for the known pain.

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