When to use a, an, the or no article
Learn the article system: a vs an (based on sound), the for specific nouns, zero article with uncountable nouns, languages, meals, sports vs instruments. 15 questions.
English · Primary, Secondary
"An" before vowel sounds: an hour, an honest man. "A" before consonant sounds: a university (/juː/).
First mention: a/an. Second mention: the. This rule covers 80% of article use.
No article with languages, meals, institutions in function, uncountable nouns in general.
"A student wrote "I play the football." After the sports rule (zero article), they self-corrected to "I play football.""
Tricks and techniques to master this topic faster:
Musical instruments: the piano, the guitar. Sports: football, tennis.
Unique things: the sun, the moon, the east.
Superlatives always need the: "She is the best student."
First/second mention: "I saw a dog. The dog was barking."
If you are studying Articles in English — A, An, The and Zero Article, these curriculum topics complement each other:
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