There are many rules for how to properly use articles in English. Here are two of the main rules:
Known or Unknown Nouns
When we introduce a noun for the first time, we use the indefinite articles, a or an.
When we have already talked about the noun, we use the definite article, the.
- I saw a man. The man had a dog. The dog was running around a tree. There was a cat up in the tree.
When do I use a and when do I use an?
- a = before consonant sounds (b,c,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,p,q,r,s,t,v,w,x,y,z)
- an = before vowel sounds (a,e,i,o,u)
**an honest man = the 'h' is silent and the first sound in "honest" is "ah" which is a vowel sound.
**a university = the "u" sound is a "y" sound which is a consonant sound.
Specific or General Nouns
When we are speaking generally about a noun, we usually don't use articles. If the noun is countable, we use the plural form.
- I really don't like tomatoes.
- Noisy neighbours drive me nuts.
- Koreans usually use chopsticks to eat.
- British people love to watch soccer.
- Cows eat grass.
The above examples all talk about nouns in general. However, if we are talking about something that is or was actually real or specific, we use articles.
- I really don't like the tomatoes in this salad.
- The noisy neighbours beside me drive me nuts.
- The Koreans in my class usually use chopsticks to eat.
- The British teacher in my school loves to watch soccer.
- The cows in the field are eating the grass.
Notice that each of the examples has been made more specific with a prepositional phrase.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.