Articles: a, an, the — English grammar for kids

The grammar rule

Listen to the first sound — “a or an depends on the sound, not the letter; “the” is for one particular thing”

1. Use “an” before a vowel sound: an apple, an egg, an hour, an honest man (silent h).
2. Use “a” before a consonant sound: a mango, a horse, a university, a uniform, a European city, a one-rupee coin (they start with a “y” or “w” sound).
3. Use “the” for something there is only one of (the sun, the earth), before -est/best words (the tallest) and before first, second …

Use it for: Every sentence you write, fill-in-the-article questions in school tests, and Olympiad English.

Worked example: Fill in a or an: ___ hour → an

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, then tap your answer — or type it and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Lesson 6 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🅰️ Article Archer badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 10 lessons of Part 1 · Grammar basics. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Articles Worksheet

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)