Language: grammar and vocabulary

Using a, an and the

Put a, an or the in front of a naming word.

Three small words come in front of naming words: a, an and the. They are called articles.

a — one of many

Use a when the next word starts with a consonant sound. A dog, a chair, a mango.

an — one of many too

Use an when the next word starts with a vowel sound: a, e, i, o, u. An arm, an ice cube, an oven.

the — this one, and we both know it

Use the when you and I already know which one is meant. The sun. The parcel I told you about.

Worked example

Let us fill this gap: We saw ____ open window.

  1. Look at the word straight after the gap. It is "old".

    The article listens to the very next word, not to the naming word further along.

Try it together

Let us choose three articles together.

Each answer is one small word.

    1.I ate ____ banana for lunch. Write the missing word.

    Have a go

    Which one is right?

    Ready to practise?

    Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.

    Print a worksheet