Articles: a, an, the and no article
Use a/an for one thing that is new or not specific, the when the listener knows which one, and no article for things in general with plural or uncountable nouns.
How it works
- A/an + singular countable noun mentioned for the first time or not specific: I bought a laptop.
- The when both speakers know which one: The laptop I bought is fast. Also for unique things: the sun, the internet.
- No article for plural or uncountable nouns in general: Cats are independent. Money doesn't buy happiness.
- A/an for jobs: She's an engineer. Choose an by sound, not spelling: an hour, a university.
- No article in many fixed phrases: go to school, go to work, go to bed, at home, by bus, have breakfast.
- A singular countable noun always needs a determiner (a, the, my, this…): not I have car.
Examples
I've got a meeting this afternoon. The meeting is about the new budget.
She's an architect at a firm in District 3.
Teenagers spend a lot of time on social media.
Can you close the window? It's cold.
I usually go to work by bus.
It took me an hour to find a parking space.
Common mistakes
Wrong: My father is engineer.
Right: My father is an engineer.
Wrong:
The moneyis not everything.Right: Money is not everything.
Wrong: I bought new phone yesterday.
Right: I bought a new phone yesterday.
Practice
1 of 13Fill the gap.
Level: EGP Determiners (articles): a/an and the are A1–A2; the zero article for things in general and the for shared or unique reference are still being controlled at B1. Written for Gloss.