a, an or the? The basics in one page
When to use a, when to use an, when to use the, and when to use nothing at all.
Vietnamese has no words like a, an or the, so it's easy to forget them. But English uses them all the time, and missing them is one of the first things people notice.
a or an: listen to the first sound
Rule
Use a before a consonant sound. Use an before a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). What matters is the sound, not the letter.a / an: one thing, not a specific one
Use a or an when you talk about one thing for the first time, or about any one of many.
the: the one we both know
Rule
Use the when the listener knows which one you mean: you've mentioned it before, there's only one, or it's clear from the situation.No article at all
Don't use a or the when you talk about things in general with plural or uncountable nouns.
Don't say
She is teacher.
Say
She is a teacher.
Don't say
I like the music.
Say
I like music.
Quick check
3 questions · nothing is savedHe is ___ doctor.
I waited for ___ hour.
Look at ___ moon tonight!
Practise with your own reading
Rock Egg turns articles you choose into quizzes at your level, with daily vocabulary and dictation. Find out where you are with a Level Check.
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