English has three choices before a noun: a / an (something new or one of many), the (something specific that we both know), or no article (things in general). If your language has no articles, like Polish, Ukrainian, Russian or Thai, this is one of the hardest parts of English, so practice really helps. Check the table, then try the exercises below.
| Article | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a / an | one thing, mentioned for the first time; jobs; per (twice a week) | I saw a dog. She’s an engineer. |
| the | something known or mentioned before; unique things; superlatives; rivers, seas, mountain ranges | The dog was big. The sun. The best. The Thames. |
| no article | plural and uncountable nouns in general; most countries and cities; meals, sports, days; by + transport | I love chocolate. Cats are cute. In Italy. By bus. |
Articles exercises
Four sets of 20 questions: a vs an vs the (A2), names and fixed expressions (B1), advanced uses like the elderly and the tiger (B2–C1), and an At work set. When no article is needed, choose “— (no article)”. Prefer to check everything at the end? Switch to Exam mode.
-
I’ve got umbrella.
-
She’s doctor.
-
sun is very hot today.
-
It takes hour to get there.
-
I saw a dog in the park. dog was very big.
-
I love chocolate.
-
He goes to work by bus.
-
She’s university student.
-
Can you close door, please?
-
We live in small flat near the station.
-
cats are my favourite animals.
-
Paris is capital of France.
-
I usually have breakfast at 7.
-
My brother is engineer.
-
Mount Everest is highest mountain in the world.
-
I play guitar in a band.
-
She lives in Italy.
-
There’s new student in our class.
-
It’s honour to meet you.
-
I don’t like coffee. I prefer tea.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
-
He’s in prison for robbery.
-
My mum went to prison to visit my uncle.
-
Thames flows through London.
-
We stayed at Hilton Hotel.
-
She’s from United States.
-
life is too short to be unhappy.
-
life of a soldier can be very hard.
-
I usually go to bed at 11.
-
What beautiful day!
-
rich should pay more taxes.
-
She plays piano very well.
-
We had lunch in a small café.
-
lunch we had yesterday was delicious.
-
He’s best player in the team.
-
This is first time I’ve been here.
-
I’ll see you on Monday.
-
She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year.
-
Alps are in Europe.
-
I go swimming twice week.
-
My sister plays tennis.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
-
elderly often feel lonely.
-
She’s only person who understands me.
-
He was elected president in 2020.
-
Netherlands is famous for its flowers.
-
I’ve never been to Lake Como.
-
She studied at University of Oxford.
-
She studied at Oxford University.
-
The more you practise, better you get.
-
It was such awful film.
-
In 1990s, mobile phones became popular.
-
He’s European, but he lives in Asia.
-
tiger is in danger of extinction.
-
Who invented telephone?
-
I’m not interested in politics.
-
politics of this country are very complicated.
-
She earns €50 hour.
-
He was unusual choice for the role.
-
The meeting is on 3rd of May.
-
We were at sea for three weeks.
-
She’s honest person.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
-
She’s accountant at a big firm.
-
We have meeting at 10.
-
meeting has been moved to 11.
-
He works for BBC.
-
Our office is in London.
-
I’ll send you email this afternoon.
-
She’s CEO of a tech company.
-
Unemployment is big problem.
-
We need information about the client.
-
information you sent me was very useful.
-
I’m going on business trip next week.
-
He earns $80,000 year.
-
The company was founded in 1998.
-
customer is always right.
-
I usually go to work by train.
-
Our company is biggest supplier in Europe.
-
She’s on phone with a client.
-
We’re looking for experienced manager.
-
He has MBA from Harvard.
-
unemployed can get help from the government.
Teachers: download these questions as a printable worksheet with an answer key. It’s free to use in class.
A or an? Listen, don’t look
Use an before a vowel sound, not a vowel letter: an hour, an honest man, an MBA (the first sound is a vowel). Use a before a consonant sound, even if the word starts with a vowel letter: a university, a European, a one-way ticket (they start with “y” or “w” sounds).
Names: with or without “the”?
- the: rivers, seas, oceans (the Nile), mountain ranges (the Alps), plural or “union” countries (the Netherlands, the UK, the USA), hotels, many organisations (the BBC)
- no article: most countries and cities (Italy, London), single mountains and lakes (Mount Everest, Lake Como), streets, Oxford University
Common mistakes
- ❌ She is doctor. → ✅ She is a doctor.
- ❌ The life is beautiful. → ✅ Life is beautiful. (in general)
- ❌ Can you give me an information? → ✅ …some information? (uncountable)
- ❌ I go to work by the car. → ✅ …by car.
FAQ
Why “in prison” but “to the prison”?
With school, university, prison, hospital, church and bed, we use no article when we talk about their main purpose: He’s in prison (he’s a prisoner), I go to bed at 11 (to sleep). We use the when we mean the building for another reason: She went to the prison to visit him. In American English, people usually say in the hospital.
How can I say “all people of a type”?
Use the + adjective: the rich, the poor, the elderly, the unemployed. It takes a plural verb: The elderly are often lonely. For animals and inventions, the + singular can mean the whole group: The tiger is in danger. Who invented the telephone?
I always forget articles. Any quick tips?
Before every singular countable noun, ask: is it new (a) or known (the)? A singular countable noun almost never stands alone: I bought car is always wrong. Then check plurals and uncountables: if you mean “in general”, leave the article out.