Articles: a, an and the · Year 4

Articles are the little words a, an and the that come before a noun. A and an mean one of many (any one); the means a particular one that we both know about. Choosing between a and an depends on the first sound of the next word, not the first letter.

Key facts

  • Use a before a consonant sound: a dog, a book, a university (it starts with a y sound).
  • Use an before a vowel sound: an apple, an egg, an hour (the h is silent).
  • Use a or an the first time you mention something; use the when you mention it again: I saw a cat. The cat was black.
  • Use the when there is only one: the sun, the moon, the sea.
  • Use no article for sports, meals, most names of people and cities, and things in general: She plays tennis. Cairo is busy. I like music.

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