ESL Grammar: ARTICLES (a/an/the) – Review of a/an & the

In this ESL grammar lesson, students practice reading a conversation between two people, focusing on the correct usage of the articles “a/an” and “the.” These articles can be very confusing for new learners of English, so this conversation is very useful at giving them examples of when we use different articles.

Mastering the use of articles “a,” “an,” and “the” is essential for ESL students. This review lesson is designed to reinforce students’ understanding and correct usage of these articles in various contexts. Whether for online or in-person classes, this guide will provide valuable insights and practice exercises to help students excel in using articles accurately.

ESL Grammar: Understanding Articles: A, An, The

Articles are small but vital words in English that define nouns as specific or unspecific. There are two types of articles: definite and indefinite.

1. Definite Article:
   • The: Used to refer to specific or particular nouns that are known to both the speaker and the listener.
     • Examples:
       • “The book on the table is mine.”
       • “I saw the movie you recommended.”
2. Indefinite Articles:
   • A: Used before words that begin with a consonant sound, referring to something non-specific.
     • Examples:
       • “I saw a cat in the garden.”
       • “She bought a new car.”
   • An: Used before words that begin with a vowel sound, referring to something non-specific.
     • Examples:
       • “He ate an apple.”
       • “She is an engineer.”

This beginner-level ESL grammar lesson on nouns is perfect for both online and in-person classes, offering diverse content to suit any learning environment. Explore this and many similar grammar lessons for all levels on our page of ESL grammar lessons.

This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many more English grammar lessons focusing on parts of speech just like this in our comprehensive, beginner-level ESL grammar textbook Great, Great Grammar! (Book 1: Parts of Speech).