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General English · A1

A/an, the and no article

Show whether you mean one new thing, a known thing or things in general.

What you will learn

  • Choose a/an by sound.
  • Distinguish first mention from a known item.
  • Use no article for general plural and uncountable nouns.

A/an odatda bitta yangi yoki aniq tanilmagan narsani bildiradi. The suhbatdosh qaysi narsa ekanini bilganida ishlatiladi. Ko‘plik va sanalmaydigan otlar umumiy ma’noda ko‘pincha artiklsiz keladi.

Use a/an with a singular countable noun when the listener does not yet know which one: I saw a bird. Use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound. Use the when both people can identify the thing: The bird was blue. The can go with singular, plural or uncountable nouns. For general statements, plural and uncountable nouns usually have no article: Birds have wings. Water is important. Use a/an for jobs: She’s an engineer.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Article choices
UseExample
one new/unspecified itemI need a pen.
known singular itemPlease pass me the pen on your desk.
known plural itemsThe pens in this box are blue.
known amount/substanceThe water in my glass is cold.
general pluralPens are useful.
general uncountableWater is necessary.
Listen to the sound
A: consonant soundAn: vowel sound
a bookan apple
a university (starts with a /y/ sound)an hour (silent h)
a useful toolan old tool
Common patterns
PatternExample
job: a/anHe’s a nurse.
unique familiar thing: theThe sun is bright.
language: no articleWe speak Uzbek.
ordinary meal name: no articleWe have lunch at one.

Examples

New, then known

I bought a lamp. The lamp is on my desk.

Chiroq sotib oldim. O‘sha chiroq stolimda.

Job

She is an artist.

U rassom.

General uncountable noun

I like music.

Musiqani yoqtiraman.

Specific music

The music in this café is quiet.

Bu kafedagi musiqa sokin.

Language and ordinary meal

We study English after breakfast.

Nonushtadan keyin ingliz tilini o‘rganamiz.

Common Mistakes

Avoid: He is teacher.

Use: He is a teacher.

A singular job noun normally needs a/an.

Avoid: It takes a hour.

Use: It takes an hour.

Hour starts with a vowel sound because h is silent.

Avoid: I like the dogs. (All dogs in general.)

Use: I like dogs.

Use no article for plural dogs in general.

Avoid: She speaks the English.

Use: She speaks English.

A language name normally takes no article in this pattern.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · A or an?

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. ___ orange (one fruit, first mention)
2. ___ blue umbrella (first mention)
3. ___ empty bottle (first mention)
4. ___ university (first mention)
5. ___ hour (one hour)
6. ___ useful book (first mention)
7. ___ old house (first mention)
8. ___ small egg (first mention)
9. She is ___ doctor. (Her job.)
10. He is ___ actor. (His job.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · New, known or general?

Choose the article. — means no article. Follow the context.

1. I found a coin. ___ coin was under my chair. (The same coin.)
2. ___ cats have whiskers. (Cats in general.)
3. ___ milk contains water. (Milk in general.)
4. Please close ___ door beside you. (We both know which one.)
5. I speak ___ French. (The language.)
6. We have ___ breakfast at seven. (Our ordinary daily meal.)
7. ___ sun is behind a cloud. (The sun in our sky.)
8. ___ shoes by the door are mine. (That specific pair.)
9. ___ water in this bottle is warm. (This specific water.)
10. I need ___ pencil, any pencil. (One item.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Supply the article

Type a, an or the. Type - for no article. Follow the clue.

1. I saw ___ elephant at the zoo. (First mention, one animal.)
2. I saw an elephant. ___ elephant was eating. (Same animal.)
3. ___ books can teach us new things. (Books in general.)
4. ___ rice is a common food. (Rice in general.)
5. My aunt is ___ dentist. (Her job.)
6. We learn ___ Spanish. (The language.)
7. Please wash ___ cups on the tray. (Those specific cups.)
8. I have ___ red bicycle. (First mention.)
9. He waited for ___ hour. (One hour.)
10. This is ___ my bag. (No extra describing words.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • A/an: one unspecified countable thing; choose by sound.
  • The: an identifiable thing, group or substance.
  • No article: general plurals/uncountables and common language/meal patterns.
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