Explanation
Exercises

A / An, the, and Zero Article

When to use each article — concise B1 reference with clear examples.

Use a / an

  • First mention of a singular countable noun: I saw an old woman with a dog.
  • Jobs & classifications: Paula is a teacher. · That’s a chimpanzee.
  • Meaning “one”: Can I have an orange?
  • Rates / frequency / speed (per): €500 a month · 70 km an hour · three times a week.
  • Exclamations with what / such + singular noun: What a great idea! · Such a good friend.
  • Form tip: use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound: a university /juː…/ · an hour /aʊ…/.
  • Rule: singular countable nouns cannot stand alone → need a/an, the or a determiner: I don’t have a driving licence.

Use the

  • Known / mentioned before: A man and a woman sat down. The man was British. · Where are the kids? In the garden.
  • Made specific by a phrase or clause: I sat on the chair in the corner. · The man who tried to rob me.
  • Unique things: the sun, the moon, the internet, the manager.
  • Common public places in a town (as places to go): the bank · the library · the station · the cinema · the doctor.
  • Superlatives / ordinals: the best, the first, the most exciting.
  • Musical instruments: play the guitar / the piano.
  • Geographical names (use the with):
    Category
    Examples
    Oceans / seas / rivers / canals
    the Mediterranean, the Amazon, the Suez Canal
    Ranges / deserts / island groups
    the Alps, the Andes, the Sahara, the Bahamas
    Regions with of
    the south of France, the Gulf of Mexico
    Countries (plural / state / kingdom / republic)
    the Netherlands, the Philippines, the UK, the Czech Republic

Use no article (zero article)

  • General meaning with plural or uncountable nouns: I love music. · Mushrooms are delicious.
    Specific reference takes the: I loved the music at the party.
  • Home / work / bed / school / university / hospital / prison (as institutions in their main function): David isn’t at school today. · She is in hospital.
    Use the for the building as a place: I went to the hospital to visit my gran.
  • Meals: Dinner is ready. · Let’s have breakfast.
  • Days, months, years: Friday is my favourite day. · He graduated in 2020.
  • Noun + number: room 15, page 86, platform 2.
  • Media & transport: on TV, by car / bus / plane.
    But: Turn off the TV. · on the bus (specific bus as a place).
  • next / last + time word (relative to now): next Thursday, last week.
    Different meaning with definite reference: The last week in London was fantastic.
  • Most place names: continents, most countries, cities, single mountains: Asia, Spain, Rome, Mount Everest.
  • Languages & school subjects: She speaks Spanish. · I study biology.

Quick contrasts

  • I’m in bed. (resting) vs I looked under the bed. (the piece of furniture)
  • go to school (to study) vs go to the school (to the building)
  • on TV vs on the radio (radio normally takes the)
  • a university (any one) vs the university (a specific one)
Exercises:
1
2
3

A(n), the, no article

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences below.
1
Can I have look at your report?
2
It’s cold. Please close window.
3
Lena is engineer at a startup in Berlin.
4
Coffee helps me wake up in the morning.
5
I usually go to work by bike.
6
We visited British Museum yesterday.
7
It was most interesting talk at the conference.
8
She plays piano very well.
9
I had sandwich for lunch.
10
Cats are independent animals.

A(n), the, no article

Choose the correct option for each gap below.
1
There’s ___ university near my house, but ___ library is very small.
A.
B.
C.
2
Could you pass me ___ salt, please?
A.
B.
C.
3
My sister is ___ doctor and my brother is ___ engineer.
A.
B.
C.
4
___ Mount Everest is ___ highest mountain in the world.
A.
B.
C.
5
We heard ___ interesting story during ___ meeting yesterday.
A.
B.
C.
6
I usually go to ___ work by ___ bus.
A.
B.
C.
7
Can you play ___ piano?
A.
B.
C.
8
She lives on ___ small island in ___ Pacific Ocean.
A.
B.
C.
9
___ people I work with are friendly.
A.
B.
C.
10
We arrived at ___ airport early, but ___ flight was delayed.
A.
B.
C.

A(n), the, no article

Complete the text below with a, an, the or – (=no article).

Complete the text with a, an, the or – (= no article). Type only one of these.

1
Last Saturday my friends and I planned to have picnic in
2
park by
3
river. Early in
4
morning,
5
sun was behind clouds, so I grabbed
6
umbrella. After
7
hour the weather changed and
8
sun came out. We took
9
bus to
10
city centre and met outside Mia’s house. She lives on
11
third floor of
12
old building. Before we left, Mia made
13
coffee and
14
sandwiches. At the park, we found
15
perfect spot under
16
tree with
17
amazing view of
18
river. Suddenly
19
dog ran onto our blanket, and
20
owner apologised.