Basics & General Rules
When do we typically use 'a' or 'an'?
Before singular countable nouns when they are general or mentioned for the first time.
Fill in the blank: "She goes to ____ university."
a (or the, if a specific university is implied)
Which article for: "____ dogs are loyal animals."
Zero article (Dogs)
Fill in the blank: "I had ____ delicious breakfast this morning."
a
Fill in the blank: "He works as ____ engineer."
an
What is the main use of 'the'?
To refer to something specific, unique, or already known to the listener/reader.
Fill in the blank: "They visited ____ Eiffel Tower in Paris."
"the"
Which article for: "____ dog next door barks a lot."
The (The dog)
Fill in the blank: "What did you have for ____ dinner last night?"
zero article (dinner)
Fill in the blank: "She plays ____ guitar very well."
the
When do we use the zero article (no article) before nouns? Give one common situation.
Before plural countable nouns when speaking generally, before uncountable nouns when speaking generally, before most proper nouns (names of people, cities, countries), before meals, before certain institutions (school, hospital, church) when used for their primary purpose. (Any one of these is acceptable).
Fill in the blank: "My brother is in ____ hospital." (Meaning he is a patient)
zero article (hospital)
Explain why we say "____ money doesn't buy happiness" but "____ money I earned last week is gone."
"Money doesn't buy happiness" (zero article) refers to money in general. "The money I earned last week is gone" (the) refers to a specific sum of money.
Fill in the blank: "____ water is essential for life."
zero article (water)
Correct the error: "I saw a amazing film yesterday."
I saw an amazing film yesterday.
Explain the difference between "I have a cat" and "I have the cat."
"I have a cat" introduces a general, unspecified cat. "I have the cat" refers to a specific cat already known to both speakers.
What's the difference between "I went to ____ church" and "I went to ____ church to see the architecture"?
"I went to church" (zero article) means you went for religious services. "I went to the church to see the architecture" (the) means you went to the specific building, not necessarily for its primary purpose.
Is it "____ computers are useful" or "____ computers on this desk are useful"? Explain.
"Computers are useful" (zero article) refers to computers in general. "The computers on this desk are useful" (the) refers to a specific group of computers.
Explain the article usage in: "We had ____ lunch at ____ new restaurant."
"We had lunch" (zero article, general meal) at "a new restaurant" (a, first mention of a specific restaurant).
Correct the error: "The happiness is important."
Happiness is important. (Abstract noun in general)
Provide two examples of common nouns where we use 'the' even if they are not specifically mentioned before (e.g., unique things).
The sun, the moon, the sky, the internet, the world, the environment. (Any two acceptable).
Fill in the blank: "____ Amazon River is ____ longest river in ____ South America."
The (The Amazon River) / the (the longest river) / zero article (South America)
What's the difference in meaning between "I like ____ music" and "I like ____ music from the 80s"?
"I like music" (zero article) refers to music in general. "I like the music from the 80s" (the) refers to a specific genre/period of music.
Is it "____ bread is made from flour" or "Could you pass me ____ bread?" Explain
"Bread is made from flour" (zero article) refers to bread in general. "Could you pass me the bread?" (the) refers to a specific loaf of bread available.
Fill in the blank: "____ United Kingdom is ____ island nation."
The (The United Kingdom) / an (an island nation)