A, an, the exercises - Articles in English

These exercises cover the use of articles in English—"a," "an," and "the." Practice with clear examples to better understand how each article works in different contexts. Improve your grammar by learning the correct usage of definite and indefinite articles.
Updated September 2025

What is "a an the"?

"A," "an," and "the" are called articles. They are small words that come before a noun. They help us know if we are talking about something specific or something in general.

How to Use "a" and "an"

Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound. Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).

  • a cat
  • a dog
  • an apple
  • an orange

How to Use "the"

Use "the" when talking about something specific or something that everyone knows about.

  • the sun
  • the book on the table
  • the teacher in the classroom
Article Use Before Example
a Consonant sound a car
an Vowel sound an umbrella
the Specific noun the moon

Practical Tips for Remembering

  • Think about the sound of the word after the article. If it sounds like a vowel, use "an."
  • Use "the" when you and your listener both know what you are talking about.
Exercises
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Choose the correct option to complete the A, an, the exercises - Articles in English below.
1

___ Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.

a.
The
b.
An
c.
A
2

She bought ___ egg and some bread.

a.
the
b.
an
c.
a
3

He is going to ___ university next year.

a.
the
b.
an
c.
a
4

Can you find ___ pen I lost yesterday?

a.
an
b.
a
c.
the
5

She has ___ interesting story to tell.

a.
a
b.
the
c.
an
6

I need ___ map to find the way.

a.
an
b.
the
c.
a
7

___ Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.

a.
An
b.
The
c.
A
8

She is wearing ___ beautiful necklace.

a.
an
b.
a
c.
the
9

Do you want ___ apple or a banana?

a.
a
b.
an
c.
the
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