The use of a/an and the:

VOWELS AEIOU
CONSONANTS BCDFGHJKLMNPQRSTVWXYZ

We usually use A before nouns or adjectives which begin with

a consonant
I want to buy a big house. Would you like a banana?

HOWEVER, use A before words which begin with a 'YOU' sound.

I want a unicorn. It's a unique course. She wears a uniform.
Note. I have an umbrella (umbrella starts with an 'a' sound)7

We usually use AN before nouns or adjectives which begin

with a vowel
I can see an elephant and an ugly ape.

HOWEVER, use AN before words whose first syllable has the sound of a
vowel.
It was an honour to travel at 5 miles an hour (H isn't pronounced) Note.
My brother has a horse (H is pronounced)

The:
 Use the with specific nouns.
Examples:
The teacher gives a blue pen to a student.
Kim, can you pass me the blue pen?
Can everyone see the blue pen? Yes, we can.

 Use the when there is only one of something.

Examples include:
• the sun, the moon, the earth
• the library, the bank, the Laundromat (in a town)
• the door, the whiteboard, the teacher’s desk (in your classroom).

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 Exercise1: Complete these sentences with a or an:

1. There is green English book on the desk.

2. She's reading old comic.

3. They've got idea.

4. He is drinking cup of coffee.

5. The girl is pilot.

6. Leipzig has airport.

7. This is expensive bike.

8. Look! There's bird flying.

9. My father is honest person.

10. My friend likes to be astronaut.

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Exercise 2: Choose the correct article (a/an):

……….. ant. ……….. picture.

……….. boy. ……….. apple.

……….. girl. ……….. bird.

……….. umbrella. ……….. uncle.

………. island ……….. egg

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 Correction:
Exercise1: Complete these sentences with a or an:

1. There is a green English book on the desk.

2. She's reading an old comic.
3. They've got an idea.
4. He is drinking a cup of coffee.
5. The girl is a pilot.
6. Leipzig has an airport.
7. This is an expensive bike.
8. Look! There's a bird flying.
9. My father is an honest person.
10. My friend likes to be an astronaut.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct article (a/an):

an ant. a picture.

a boy. an apple.

a girl. a bird.

an umbrella. an uncle.

an island an egg