Articles in English - Definition, Types, Uses, Examples, Exercises

Articles are short monosyllabic words used to define nature of noun that they get added to. They determine whether noun is general or specific noun. 
Used before nouns, articles modify them and may be considered as adjectives.

There are mainly two types of articles in English, i.e.:

• Definite Articles 
• Indefinite Articles

Let us learn about each of these articles below. 

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Article “the” is Definite Article used to specify nature of noun. It tells whether noun is specific or general noun and can be used before collective nouns, plural nouns and for superlative degree of comparison. Few examples of usage of article “the” are-

1. The children are playing hockey. 
2. This is the world’s best cricket ground. 
3. The children repeated along with the teacher.

Articles “a” and “an” are Indefinite articles. They are used to indicate indefinite nouns and may also be used before singular nouns. 
Examples of Indefinite articles are-

1. This is a cat.
2. Let's go on a holiday.
3. An apple a day, keeps someone away. 

If you too often wonder how to use articles, here we have covered articles a, an and rules with examples-

Use of “a” and “an” Articles

Difference between usage of “a” and “an” articles is determined by “sound” of succeeding word. Article “an” is used before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). For example, an umbrella, an inkpad, an orange, an enemy, etc.

On other hand, article “a” is used before words starting with a consonant sound. For example, a horse, a cat, a union, a university, a useful article, etc.

Apart from above cases, below are a few more cases where definite articles “a” and “an” are used-

Common Mistakes in Use of “A” and “An” Articles--

These rules are sometimes misinterpreted as -

1. Article “an” is thought of to be used before words starting with vowels (a, e, i, o, u). However, words like “hour”, “honest” and “heir” go with the “an” article. Therefore, the correct explanation of such exceptional cases came from the understanding of the vowel and consonant sounds. For example, an honest girl, an hour, a European, a yard, etc. 
2. Some native speakers use the article “an” before words starting with “h”. For example, an hotel, an house, etc. However, these forms are not acceptable widely and are considered wrong. 

Use of “the” Article

Article “the” is used when we talk about a specific person or things or someone or something that we have already talked about. Check out other cases where “the” article is used below-

Uses of 'The' Article

Check out some difficult examples of articles in English below.

Check your knowledge of articles in English by means of some exercises given below.

Fill in Blanks

Fill out blanks in sentences below with suitable articles.

1. Aladdin has ____ wonderful lamp. 
2. Who is ____ girl sitting there?
3. ____ Ganga is ____ sacred river. 
4. If you see him, give him ____ message.
5. The guide knows ____ way. 
6. Sri Lanka is ____ island nation.
7. Mumbai is ____ very costly place to live in.
8. Let us discuss ____ matter seriously.

Answers-

1. a
2. the
3. The, a
4. the
5. The
6. an
7. a
8. the

Insert Articles where Necessary

Insert suitable articles in sentences given below

1. Moon did not rise till after ten.
2. Sun rises in east.
3. The brave soldier lost arm in battle. 
4. Get pound of suger from nearest grocer.
5. The river was spanned by iron bridge.
6. I have not seen him since he was child. 
7. What kind of bird is that?
8. It was proudest moment of my life.

Answers-

1. The moon did not rise till after ten.
2. The sun rises in the east.
3. The brave soldier lost an arm in the battle.
4. Get a pound of sugar from the nearest grocer.
5. The river was spanned by an iron bridge.
6. I have not seen him since he was a child.
7. What kind of a bird is that?
8. It was the proudest moment of my life.

This was all about “Articles” in English. To learn more such basic topics in English - check out IELTS A1 Grammar.