English Grammar Articles Worksheet (A/An/The)
These articles worksheets will help you practice how to use the indefinite articles, a/an, and the definite article, the. The illustrated explanations and exercises are a great review activity so that you can feel comfortable with these fundamental words in English. We use them all the time, so it’s very important for you to know how to use them correctly!
First, be sure to review the page that explains articles. Remember that we use a/an for nouns that we are mentioning for the first time or that are not specific. We use the for specific things. Look at the examples below to remember how we use the definite and indefinite articles. Then complete the exercises and check your answers at the end of the worksheets.
Examples:
A/an
We use a/an for nouns that are not specific, when we can refer to any one of a certain kind of thing. For example, imagine your uncle just made cookies. You say:
I want a cookie!
(You want any one of the cookies he has made, not a specific cookie. So, you use a.)
The word “cookie” begins with a consonant sound, so we use a. If the word begins with a vowel sound, we use an. For example:
The scientist had an idea.
(We do not know anything about the idea, so it is not specific. The word “idea” starts with a vowel sound, so we use an.)
The
We use the for specific nouns, when we know exactly which thing we are talking about. We use the for singular or plural nouns.
For example:
Jack fell asleep in the green chair.
(We know exactly which specific chair we are talking about.)
Eric and Adam are coloring the eggs.
(We know exactly which specific eggs we are talking about.)
We also use the when there is only one of a thing.
For example:
The sun is shining today!
(There is only one sun.)
The vs. A/an
The first time we mention something in a story, we use a/an. After that, we use the.
For example:
Anna told Rick a secret. The secret was a big surprise! Rick told the secret to Angela later.
(We use a the first time we mention the secret. After that, we use the because we know exactly which specific secret we are talking about.)
No Article
Remember that in some cases, we do not use an article. When we are talking about something in general or when we mention a city or country, we do not use an article.
For example:
Parties are a lot of fun!
(Parties in general are fun.)
I went to Australia last year.
(Australia is a country, so we do not use an article.)
So, this is how we use a/an, and the in English. Now, let’s practice!
Exercise A: A or an?
Look at the pictures, then complete the sentences with a or an.
1.
Bradley gave his teacher _________ apple.
2.
She is holding _________ pencil.
3.
Emily is in __________ garden.
4.
There is _________ fountain in the middle of the park.
5.
They had _________ accident!
Exercise B: A, an, the, or no article?
Look at the pictures, then complete the sentences with a, an, the, or no article.
1.
We visited _________ Taj Mahal in June.
2.
He is giving her a ring. _________ ring is very expensive!
3.
Harold is upset. He is having ________ argument!
4.
John is looking at _________ yellow map.
5.
Dave is listening to ________ song in his car.
6.
James is pulling a rabbit from his magician’s hat. __________ rabbit does not look happy!
7.
________ toys are important for children.
8.
She is wearing _________ dress.
9.
She likes ________ books.
10.
Caroline is running __________ race.
Answer Key
Exercise A: A or an?
1. Bradley gave his teacher an apple.
2. She is holding a pencil.
3. Emily is in a garden.
4. There is a fountain in the middle of the park.
5. They had an accident!
Exercise B: A, an, the, or no article?
1. We visited the Taj Mahal in June.
2. He is giving her a ring. The ring is very expensive!
3. Harold is upset. He is having an argument!
4. John is looking at the yellow map.
5. Dave is listening to a song in his car.
6. James is pulling a rabbit from his magician’s hat. The rabbit does not look happy!
7. --- toys are important for children.
8. She is wearing a dress.
9. She likes --- books.
10. Caroline is running a race.
