Av.

Independecia 227
Col. Centro, Matamoros, Coah. C.P. 27440

INDEFINITE ARTICLES A/AN

The articles a / an mean ‘one’. They are used before singular (countable) nouns. The choice to use a /
an depends on the initial sound of the noun. Indefinite articles are NEVER used with plural nouns
nor uncountable nouns.

Use a before singular nouns which begin with a consonant sound:

E.g. A boy A girl

Use an before singular nouns which begin with a vowel sound.

E.g An orange An apple

Task 1: Fill in the blanks. Use the articles ‘a’ or ‘an’:

1. I see ______ carrot. 6. I see ______ melon.

2. I see ______ egg. 7. I see ______ bottle.
3. I see ______ eggplant. 8. I see ______ orange.
4. I see ______ pineapple. 9. I see ______ apple.
5. I see ______ onion. 10. I see ______ pear.

When an adjective precedes (goes before) the noun, follow the same rules.
E.g. I see a big dog. I see an orange bird.

Task 2: Fill in the blanks. Use the articles ‘a’ or ‘an’:

1. I see _____ big doll. 5. I see _____ empty bottle.

2. I see _____ new pencil. 6. I see _____ roller skate.
3. I see _____ little doll. 7. I see _____ full bottle.
4. I see _____ old pencil. 8. I see _____ ice skate.

Task 3: List five things you see in this moment at home or at work.
1. _
2. _
3. _
4. _
5. _

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 Av. Independecia 227
Col. Centro, Matamoros, Coah. C.P. 27440

Use ‘the’ before:

The names of cities, countries, or streets when used as adjectives.

e.g. The New York subway
The Boston area
The San Francisco earthquake.

The names of rivers, seas, or mountains.

e.g. The Mississippi river

The North sea
The pacific ocean
The Sahara desert

Nouns of indefinite quantity or quality when they indicate a specific or limited reference.

e.g. The gold in this chain is old.

The water in this bottle is brown.
The cheese in this dish is delicious.

The names of some countries when the form of government is part of the name.

e.g. The United States of America

The Dominican Republic
The Soviet Union (but Russia)

Species of animals, inventions, or musical instruments.

e.g. The whale is the largest animal on Earth.

Who invented the wheel?
Do you play the guitar?

Do not use ‘the’:

Before proper nouns (names of) people, most countries, cities, or streets. *Legal names*

e.g. New York is fascinating.

She lives on Atlantic Avenue.
Jane is from Bogota.

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 Av. Independecia 227
Col. Centro, Matamoros, Coah. C.P. 27440

Before a possessive noun (…’s or ...s’)

e.g. My sister’s cat

Her father’s 7 hamsters
2 doctors’ 10 patients

Before people names that look plural, but aren’t plural.

e.g. Professor Williams is a good friend of mine.

Carlos works at a supermarket.
Doctor James cannot operate on that patient.

Before nouns of indefinite quality or quantity.

e.g. Gold is expensive.

Honesty is important.
Education should be free to everyone.

Task 4: Write ‘the’ in the blank spaces where it is needed. Write an X in the blank spaces where it
is not needed.

______ Yokohama bus doesn’t stop here.

honesty is the best policy.
honesty of this man is above question.
Chicago fire was very large.
Chicago is a very large city.
Fifth Avenue has beautiful shops.
Fifth Avenue shops are usually very expensive.
professor has decided to cancel appointment.
Professor Sato is on leave this quarter.
Brazil is in South America.
United States is a large country in Western Hemisphere.
Scandinavian countries have a lot in common.
president will speak on television tonight.
Hudson River is in New York state.
Columbia University campus is not very large.
country has many oil fields, but oil is of poor quality.

century21englishmatamoros@gmail.com www.century21english.com (871) 398-7079