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GRADE 1 · FREE LESSON

Articles: A, An, The

Use a, an and the before nouns in simple sentences.

Understand the concept
See real examples
Practise & apply
Visual learning illustration for Articles: A, An, The

What you will learn in Grade 1

Today's goal: Choose a or an for one non-specific thing and use the for a particular thing already known.

Core concept

Use a before a consonant sound: a cat, a book.

Use a before a singular word that begins with a consonant sound.

Core concept

Use an before a vowel sound: an apple, an egg.

Use an before a singular word that begins with a vowel sound.

Core concept

Use the when we mean a particular thing: the sun.

Use the when talking about a particular person, place or thing.

Core concept

A: I saw a dog. The dog was brown.

We often use a when something is mentioned first and the when we mention the same thing again.

Core idea

Choose a or an for one non-specific thing and use the for a particular thing already known.

Read the explanation, study the examples and explain the idea in your own words.

Learn with examples

A

a ball

Use “a ball” when the noun is singular and begins with a consonant sound.

An

an apple

Use “an apple” when the noun is singular and begins with a consonant sound.

The

the sun

“the sun” shows how an article fits naturally before a noun.

Sentence

I saw a cat. The cat ran.

“I saw a cat. The cat ran.” shows how an article fits naturally before a noun.

See the skill in action

First mentionI saw a bird.
Known birdThe bird was blue.
Vowel soundan orange

Quick check

Choose the correct article: ___ apple.

Practice like a learner

  1. Fill in: ___ cat.
  2. Fill in: ___ orange.
  3. Choose: I saw a dog. ___ dog was small. (A/The)
  4. Write one sentence with 'an'.
  5. Find three examples of a, an or the in a book.
Self-check: Can you explain the rule, give a new example and tell someone why your answer is correct?

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