Articles (A, An, The)

Beginners

Articles (A, An, The) Free Resource Updated: Jul 11, 2026
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ARTICLES (BEGINNERS)

What is an Article?

An article is a word placed before a noun to show whether the noun is general or specific.

There are three articles in English.

1. A

2. An

3. The

1. A

Use "A" before a singular countable noun that begins with a consonant sound.

Examples:

A boy

A cat

A book

A pen

A teacher

Sentences:

I have a pen.

She is a teacher.

He bought a book.

2. An

Use "An" before a singular countable noun that begins with a vowel sound.

Examples:

An apple

An egg

An umbrella

An orange

An elephant

Sentences:

She is eating an apple.

I saw an elephant.

He has an umbrella.

3. The

Use "The" before a specific person, place, or thing.

Examples:

The sun

The moon

The Taj Mahal

The Ganga

Sentences:

The sun rises in the east.

The book on the table is mine.

Remember:

A = Before a consonant sound.

An = Before a vowel sound.

The = Before a specific noun.