This document explains the differences between the articles "a", "an", and "the" in English. The definite article "the" refers to specific or particular nouns, while the indefinite articles "a" and "an" refer to non-specific nouns. The article "an" is used before words beginning with vowel sounds, while "a" is used before consonant sounds. Some exceptions are provided. A quiz with examples tests the reader on proper article usage.

1. Articles
a
the
an

2. OBJECTIVE:OBJECTIVE:
- TO STATE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THE ARTICLES A, AN, AND THE.

3. What is an article
•It is an adjective.
•It modifies a
noun.

4. Definite Article
•The – refers to
specific orparticular
nouns .

5. Forexample:Forexample:
• I enjoyed participating in the
volleyball competition
The above sentence refers to a particular or
specific competition.
• I enjoyed watching the show
The sentence refers to a particular or specific
show.

6. Indefinite articles: 'a' or 'an'
• Refers to a non-specific noun.
• The children are playing a game
outdoors.
(it refers any game)
• The artist is painting a picture.
(it refers to any picture)

7. When to use 'the'
• Names of rivers, oceans and
seas.
• The Red Sea
• Points on the globe
• The equator

8. When to use the'When to use the'
• Parts of the world
–The Middle East
–The south
• Deserts & forests
–The Sahara Desert
–The Mandai forest

9. •When to use 'a'When to use 'a'
• Before words that begin with
consonants.
– a cat
– a pencil
– a bag

10. When to use 'an'When to use 'an'
• Before silent 'h'
– an honest man
– an honourable person

11. When to use 'an'When to use 'an'
• Before all words that begin with
the vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o” “u”
– an egg
– an ant

12. When to use 'an'When to use 'an'
• Before all words that begin with
the vowels “a”, “e”, “i”, “o” “u”
– an ice-cream
– an orange

13. Use “a” when ........Use “a” when ........
• When “u” makes the same
sound as the “y” in you.
– a uniform
– a used plate

14. Use “a” when ........Use “a” when ........
• “o” makes the same sound as
“w” in “won”
– a one-eyed monster

15. A QuizA Quiz
Use a, an or the in each sentence.
• Ismael spoke to _______ woman
who had waved to him (a / the)
• My mother bought me _____
expensive watch (a / an)
• Chery borrowed _____ book from
the library.(a / an)

16. A Quiz – Self checkA Quiz – Self check
Use a, an or the in each sentence.
• Ismael spoke to __the_____ woman who had
waved to him (a / the)
• My mother bought me __an___ expensive
watch (a / an)
• Chery borrowed __a___ book from the library.
(a / an)

17. More …More …
• Ali wore _____ new uniform to
school. (a / an)
• Did you see _____ new car
which my father bought? (the/a)
• Kiran is ____ Indian girl. (a /
an)

18. More … - Self-checkMore … - Self-check
• Ali wore __a___ new uniform to
school. (a / an)
• Did you see __a___ new car
which my father bought? (the/a)
• Kiran is __an__ Indian girl. (a /
an)

19. More …More …
• Singapore lies quite near to ____
equator. (the / an)
• Liying has travelled across
_____ Atlantic Ocean. (an /the)

20. More … - Self-checkMore … - Self-check
• Singapore lies quite near to
__the__ equator. (the / an)
• Liying has travelled across
__the___ Atlantic Ocean. (an
/the)