A or an? Listen to the sound
Use a before a consonant sound. Use an before a vowel sound. The rule is about sound, not spelling.
| Example | Why |
|---|---|
| a book, a car, a house | The next word starts with a consonant sound. |
| an apple, an egg, an umbrella | The next word starts with a vowel sound. |
| an hour, an honest man | The "h" is silent, so the word starts with a vowel sound. |
| a university, a European city, a one-way street | These words start with a vowel letter but a consonant sound: "you" and "w". |
| an MBA, an FBI agent, a UN report | Say the letters. "M" sounds like "em". "U" sounds like "you". |
When to use a or an
Use "a" or "an" only with a singular countable noun.
- The first time you mention something. I saw a dog in the park.
- One of many. Can I borrow a pen? Any pen is fine.
- Jobs. She is a doctor. He works as an engineer.
- "Per" in rates. twice a week, 90 kilometres an hour
Do not use "a" or "an" with plural nouns or with uncountable nouns. Say some information, not Incorrect example. an information. See the lesson on countable and uncountable nouns.
When to use the
Use "the" when the listener knows which thing you mean.
- The second mention. I saw a dog in the park. The dog was chasing a ball.
- There is only one. the sun, the moon, the internet, the sky
- The situation makes it clear. Can you close the door? Both people know which door.
- Superlatives and ordinals. the best film, the first day, the last page
- A phrase after the noun makes it specific. the capital of France, the man who called yesterday
- Musical instruments, usually. She plays the piano. American English often leaves "the" out here.
When to use no article
- Plural and uncountable nouns in general statements. Dogs are loyal. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
- Languages, school subjects and sports. I speak Spanish. She studies history. They play tennis.
- Meals. We had lunch at one.
- Some fixed phrases about places. go to school, go to work, go to bed, go home, be at home
- Transport with "by". by bus, by train, by car
Compare the general and the specific meaning:
- I like music. Music in general.
- I like the music in this film. One specific set of music.
Articles with place names
| No article | With "the" |
|---|---|
| Most countries and cities: France, Japan, Cairo | Plural names and names with "kingdom", "states" or "republic": the Netherlands, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Czech Republic |
| Continents: Asia, Africa | Oceans, seas and rivers: the Pacific, the Mediterranean, the Nile, the Thames |
| Single mountains and lakes: Mount Everest, Lake Geneva | Mountain ranges and island groups: the Alps, the Andes, the Canary Islands |
| Most streets and squares: Oxford Street, Times Square | Deserts: the Sahara, the Gobi |
Common mistakes
She is teacher.
She is a teacher.
Use a before a singular job noun with a consonant sound.
I waited for a hour.
I waited for an hour.
Hour starts with a vowel sound.
He studies at an university.
He studies at a university.
University starts with a consonant sound.
The life is short.
Life is short.
Use no article for life in general.
I need an advice.
I need some advice.
Advice is uncountable.
We went to the bed late.
We went to bed late.
Go to bed is a fixed phrase.
It is best film of the year.
It is the best film of the year.
Use the with a superlative here.
Try the quiz
Choose a, an, the, or nothing for each gap.
- My sister is ___ engineer.
- We stayed at ___ hotel near the station. ___ hotel was very quiet.
- It takes about ___ hour to get there.
- ___ Nile is longer than ___ Thames.
- I usually have ___ breakfast at seven.
- She wants to study at ___ university in Canada.
- ___ honesty is important in a friendship.
- “This is ___ most interesting book I have read this year.”
- He goes to work by ___ train.
- They live in ___ Netherlands.
Check one question at a time
Try the same ten questions here. Check each answer and read the explanation.
Your result
Your result appears here when you finish.
Show all answers
These answers apply to the examples in this quiz. The no-article rules and place-name rules explain the wider uses and exceptions.
- an. A job, and "engineer" starts with a vowel sound.
- a, then The. First mention, then second mention.
- an. The "h" in "hour" is silent.
- The, the. Rivers take "the".
- no article. Meals take no article.
- a. "University" starts with a "you" sound.
- No article. An uncountable noun in a general statement.
- the. A superlative.
- no article. "By" plus transport takes no article.
- the. A plural country name.