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Activities: “What are definite and indefinite articles in English?”

By: Erin Kuester

Associated Articles

These activities are part of our English Grammar series. The skills we are practicing here are covered in our article:

Activity 1: “a” or “an”?

In English we use a before a word that starts with a consonant sound and we use an before a word that starts with a vowel sound. Even when we write, we still choose which form of the indefinite article to write (a/an) using pronunciation rules. Try this activity for a little bit of practice — should you use a or an before each of these nouns?

elephant
house
orange
book
herb
→ In writing, this word starts with a consonant, but in American English, this word is pronounced [erb], so it starts with a vowel sound.
(Note: In British English this word is pronounced [herb] so you will hear a herb in some dialects.)
umbrella
hour
→ In writing, this word starts with a consonant, but it is pronounced [ower], so it starts with a vowel sound.
university
→ In writing, this word starts with a vowel, but it is pronounced [yuniversitee], so it starts with a consonant sound.
cat

Activity 2: Conversations

Take a look at the conversations below. For each blank space, do you think the speaker needs the indefinite article (a/an), the definite article (the), or no article (write "x")?

Conversation 1:

A: I bought new book yesterday!
→ the book is new to the conversation: use “a”
B: Oh cool! Where did you buy book?
→ now, the book is not new to the conversation: use “the”
A: I went to bookstore on Grand Avenue. Do you know that one?
→ the listener probably has enough information to know which specific bookstore we are discussing, but in some situations “a” might be acceptable.
B: Yes, I’ve been there before. But it’s been a long time since I read book.
→ Here, the book is not specific: use “a”
A: That’s too bad. I love books!
→ Plural nouns do not use articles!

Conversation 2:

A: I’m excited to eat lunch today. I packed apple from the tree in my yard!
→ A generic apple: use “an”
B: That sounds so nice. I just have same kind sandwich I bring every day.
→ A specific sandwich that the listener knows about: use “the”
A: I’m happy to share! Would you like me to bring extra apple tomorrow?
→ A generic apple: use “an”
B: Yes, I’d love that! I’m glad that tree in your yard produces enough apples for everyone.
→ A specific tree that has already been discussed, use “the”; plural nouns do not need articles (no article)

Conversation 3:

A: What are you working on?
B: I’m filling out college application.
→ The application is new to the conversation, use “a”
A: Are you excited to go to college?
→ College is a type of school, so if you are going to the college to study, you do not use an article after “to.” This was discussed in this section of the main article!
B: Yes! I hope I get into university that I visited last month. They have most famous creative writing program in the country.
→ a) a specific and familiar university: use “the”;
→ b) before a superlative adjective, use “the”
A: Wow, that sounds great! Good luck with application.
→ The application is now specific and familiar: use “the”

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