Lesson Title: A, An, The – Your Tiny Grammar Helpers
1. What are Articles?
Articles are small words used before nouns. They help us know if something is specific or general.
2. Types of Articles
There are two types of articles:
• Indefinite Articles: a, an
• Definite Article: the
3. Indefinite Articles – 'a' and 'an'
Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound. Examples: a dog a car a house a university (“university” sounds like “you” – consonant sound)
Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound. Examples: an apple an elephant an hour (‘h’ is silent, so it starts with a vowel sound) an honest man
4. Definite Article – 'the'
Use 'the' when talking about a specific person, place, or thing. Examples:
I saw a cat. The cat was sleeping. The moon looks beautiful tonight.
Let’s go to the beach.
The sun rises in the east.
5. When Not to Use Articles
There are times when we don't use 'a', 'an', or 'the':
• Before names of languages: He speaks English.
• Before meals: I had lunch.
• Before sports: She plays cricket.
• Before places used generally: She is in school. He is at home. (But: I visited the school – specific one)
6. Special Notes
• It’s not always about the letter, but the sound. a university – starts with a 'you' sound an hour – ‘h’ is silent, so starts with a vowel sound
• We use 'the' with unique things: the moon, the sky, the Taj Mahal
• We use 'the' before superlatives: the best, the highest
• We use 'the' before names of rivers, seas, oceans, newspapers, and historical buildings.
Examples: the Ganga, the Times of India, the Eiffel Tower
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong: an university
Right: a university
Wrong: a honest man
Right: an honest man
Wrong: I saw the dog in park.
Right: I saw the dog in the park.
8. Practice Worksheet
Fill in the blanks with ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘the’:
1. I saw ___ elephant at the zoo.
2. She is ___ honest girl.
3. He ate ___ mango.
4. We went to ___ cinema yesterday.
5. He wants to buy ___ umbrella.
6. ___ sun gives us light.
Answers:
1. an 2. an
3. a 4. the
5. an
6. The Choose the correct article:
1. She is reading (a / an / the) interesting book.
2. I met (a / an / the) old man.
3. Do you know (a / an / the) name of the movie?
Answers:
1. an 2. an 3. the
9.
Quick
Tips for Students
• ‘A’ and ‘An’ are for things we mention for the first time or things that are not specific.
• ‘The’ is for something specific or something both the speaker and listener know.
• Don’t just look at the first letter – listen to the sound!