Articles: a, an, the
When to use a, an, the, or nothing at all.
The rules
- Use "an" before a vowel sound: "an engineer", "an hour".
- First mention takes "a" (new information); second mention takes "the" (now we both know which film).
- General, uncountable concepts take no article: "I love music", "Life is short".
- Instruments take "the" ("play the guitar"); sports take no article ("play tennis").
- "An" comes before the adjective when the adjective starts with a vowel sound.
- Individual mountains take no article, but superlatives always take "the": "the highest".
Examples
- She is an engineer at a software company.
- I saw a film yesterday. The film was fantastic.
- I love music.
- He plays the guitar and his sister plays tennis.
- This is an interesting book.
- Mount Everest is the highest mountain.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.She is _____ engineer at a software company.
2.I saw _____ film yesterday. _____ film was fantastic.
3.Which sentence is correct?
4.He plays _____ guitar and his sister plays _____ tennis.
5.Which sentence is correct?