This document provides information and examples about using the articles "a", "an", and "the" in English. It explains that "a" and "an" are used before singular countable nouns to refer to one unspecified person or thing, with "an" used before words beginning with a vowel sound. "The" is used to refer to a specific or defined person or thing. The document then gives several examples and exercises to illustrate the proper usage of these definite and indefinite articles in different contexts.

1. a an &
the
Articles

2. a = one person or one thing
a car
a small car
a small pink car

3. a = one person or one thing
a woman
a young woman
a friendly young woman

4. an before a e i o u sounds
an apple
an orange
an eggplant

5. a book
an interesting book
animal
a small animal

6. a or an?
1 Do you have ____ umbrella?
2 I’d like to buy ____ hat, please.
3 I’ll see you in ____ hour.
4 UWS is ____ university.

7. a or an?
1 Do you have an umbrella?
2 I’d like to buy a hat, please.
3 I’ll see you in an hour.
4 UWS is a university.
an before a e i o u sounds

8. a /an for occupations
‘What do you do?’
‘I’m a bus driver.’
‘What does she do?’
‘She’s an electrician.’

9. Answers: Exercise 1
1 an old book
2 a window
3 a horse
4 an airport
5 a new airport
6 an organisation
7 a university
8 an hour
9 an economic problem

10. Answers: Exercise 2
1 A duck is a bird.
2 A carrot is a vegetable.
3 Tennis is a game.
4 A hammer is a tool.
5 Everest is a mountain.
6 Jupiter is a planet.
7 A pear is a fruit.
8 The Amazon is a river.
9 A rose is a flower.
10 A trumpet is a musical instrument.

11. Answers: Exercise 3
1 She’s a dentist.
2 He’s a shop assistant.
3 She’s a photographer.
4 She’s a taxi-driver.
5 He’s an electrician.
6 She’s a nurse.
7 He’s a private detective.

12. a/ an and the
1 2 3
Can you open a
window?
There are three windows here.
a window = window 1, 2 or 3

13. a / an and the
Can you open
the window?
There is only one window – the window.

14. a / an and the
I’ve got a dog.
(there are many dogs and I’ve got one)
I’m going to take the dog for a walk.
(the dog = my dog)
Is there a dentist in Granville?
(there are many dentists – is there one here?)
I went to the dentist yesterday.
(the dentist = my dentist)
Sydney is a beautiful city.
(there are many beautiful cities, Sydney is one)
Sydney is the capital of NSW.
There is only one capital of NSW.

15. a / an or the
I bought __sandwich and __ milkshake.
___sandwich was nice but __ milkshake
was horrible.
I bought a sandwich and a milkshake. The
sandwich was nice but the milkshake was
horrible.
the sandwich and the milkshake = my sandwich and my milkshake

16. We use the when it is clear which person or
thing we mean. For example:
the roof, the backyard, the kitchen (house)
‘Where’s Sam?’ ‘He’s in the kitchen.’
the station, the airport, the bank (city or town)
the door, the ceiling, the light ( a room)

17. The
the same
Peter and Brian live in the same street.
(not in same street)
the sun/the moon/ the sky / the city / the
country
I live in the city. (not - I live in city)
the police / the airforce / the army
the top / the bottom / the left / the right

18. Do not use the with:
• Names of people and names of places.
• I went to Canberra yesterday. 
• I went to the Canberra yesterday. X
• I saw Sue last week.
• I saw the Sue last week. X
• breakfast / lunch / dinner
• days / months/ years

19. Answers: Exercise 1
1 We enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice.
2 Can I ask a question?
3 You need a holiday.
4 Where’s Tom? He’s in the bathroom.
5 Jane is an interesting person.
6 A: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the city centre?
B: Yes, you go straight ahead and then take the next turn left.
7 A: Shall we go out for a meal this evening?
B: Yes, That’s a good idea.
8 It’s a nice morning. Let’s go for a walk.
9 Amanda is a good student. When she finishes her studies she wants to be a
journalist. She lives with two friends in a flat near the college where she is
studying. The flat is small but she likes it.
10 Peter and Mary have got two children, a boy and a girl. The boy is seven
years old and the girl is three. Peter works in a factory. Mary hasn’t got a job
at the moment.

20. Answers: Exercise 2
1 Can you open the door please?
2 How far is it to the airport?
3 Can I have a cup of coffee please?
4 That’s a nice picture. I like it.
5 Can you turn off the radio please?
Why are you sitting on the floor?

21. Answers: Exercise 3
1 Don’t forget to turn off the light when you go out.
2 Enjoy your holiday and don’t forget to send me a
postcard.
3 What is the name of this village?
4 Canada is a very big country.
5 What is the largest city in Canada?
6 I like this room but I don’t like the colour of the carpet.
7 ‘Are you OK?’ ‘No, I’ve got a headache.’
8 We live in an old house near the station.
9 What is the name of the director of the film we saw last
night.

22. Quick Quiz
a / an / the or nothing.
1. Last night I stayed home and watched ____ television.
2. ____ Mary used to live in ____ country.
3. What do you usually eat for ____ breakfast?
4. ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on ____ phone.’
5. ____Mike is ____ good student.
6. ____Peter is _____ youngest student in the class.
7. ____ Sydney is ____ interesting city.
8. This class is ____ best class at using articles.

23. Quick Quiz
a / an / the or nothing.
1 Last night I stayed home and watched television.
2 Mary used to live in the country.
3 What do you usually eat for breakfast?
4 ‘What’s Sue doing?’ ‘She’s on the phone.’
5 Mike is a good student.
6 Peter is the youngest student in the class.
7 Sydney is an interesting city.
8 This class is the best class at using articles.

24. How to improve your use of articles
• Read and read and read
• Borrow some grammar books - :
• Essential Grammar in Use and English
Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
have several units on articles (the
exercises you have done today are from
Essential Grammar in Use)