1. Escola E. B. 2, 3 D. Manuel de Faria e Sousa
English – 7th Form
Teacher: Fernanda Soares
ARTICLES: INDEFINITE AND DEFINITE
INDEFINITE ARTICLE (a/an)
A or AN?
a/an = one:
. Alice works in a bank.
. I want to ask a question.
We use an (not a) before a/e/i/o/u:
. They live in an old house.
. I bought a hat and an umbrella.
BUT WE SAY:
. a university or an hour (exceptions)
We use a/an for jobs:
. Mozart was a famous composer.
. She’s an engineer.
DEFINITE ARTICLE (the)
A, AN or THE?
the
a/an = one
it is clear which thing or person we mean
They’ve got a car. (there are many cars I’m going to wash the car. (my car)
and they’ve got one)
Rome is the capital of Italy. (there is only
Britain is an island. (there are many islands one capital of Italy)
and Britain is one)
Note: We don’t use the when we are talking about something in general:
People usually make mistakes. (people = every person)

2. A, AN or THE?
A. Write a or an:
1. a book 7. __ university student
2. __ old book 8. __ Chinese restaurant
3. __ window 9. __ Indian restaurant
4. __ hotel 10. __ hour
5. __ expensive hotel 11. __ hamburger
6. __ airport 12. __ economic problem
B. Put in a or an where necessary in the sentences:
1. I buy newspaper every day. → I buy a newspaper every day.
2. We went to birthday party last weekend. ______________________________________________________
3. My brother is artist. ________________________________________________________________________
4. It’s beautiful day today. _____________________________________________________________________
5. Britain is industrial country. _________________________________________________________________
6. I usually have sandwich and apple for breakfast. _________________________________________________
C. Write a, an or the:
1. What is the name of this village?
2. Montreal is __ large city in Canada.
3. Can you turn on __ radio, please? I want to listen to some music.
4. This is a nice room but I don’t like __ colour of __ carpet.
5. We live in __ old house near __ station.
6. You look very tired. You need __ holiday.
D. Put in a, an or the where necessary in the sentences:
1. I turned off light, opened door and went out. → I turned off the light, opened the door and went out.
2. Excuse me, can I ask question, please? _________________________________________________________
3. Alan is best player in our football team. ________________________________________________________
4. What is name of director of film we saw last night? ______________________________________________
5. Peter and Mary have two children, boy and girl. _________________________________________________
6. Boy is seven years old and girl is three. ________________________________________________________
7. Enjoy your holidays and don’t forget to send me postcard! ________________________________________