a, an, the or nothing?
Articles
a or an for one of many; the for one you both know; nothing for things in general when there are many of them or you can't count them.
- I've got a new job.
- The job is near the station.
- Life is short.
In Spanish you say «la vida es corta» and «voy al trabajo»; in English, things in general and places like work take nothing: Life is short. I go to work.
a or an goes by the sound, not the letter: an hour, a university.
Also on this page: at home, to work, in bed · research, advice, information
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- It takes me ______ hour to get home after work.a · an · the · every
- Maria's little brother stays at ______ when he is ill, so he doesn't go to school.home · a home · the home
- Many young people think ______ is more important than money when they choose a career.a happiness · the happiness · happiness
- Her teacher gave her ______ useful tip about how to concentrate on homework.a · an
- My brother usually gets up at seven and ______ by train.goes to the work · goes to work
- ______ suggests that cycling is good for your mood.A research · Research
- My cousin is ______ university student and also works at weekends.a · an · one
- Liam was ill, so he stayed in ______ all weekend to rest.bed · the bed
- My brother left ______ at sixteen and started working.the school · school
- Many employers say that ______ is as important as qualifications.the experience · experience
- We went on ______ adventure holiday in the mountains.a · an
- Although she is good at ______, she prefers to study science.the languages · languages
Show the answers
- annot a: a or an
- homenot a home: a or the with home, work, school, bednot the home: a or the with home, work, school, bed
- happinessnot a happiness: a with research, advice, informationnot the happiness: the for things in general
- anot an: a or an
- goes to worknot goes to the work: a or the with home, work, school, bed
- Researchnot A research: a with research, advice, information
- anot an: a or an
- bednot the bed: a or the with home, work, school, bed
- schoolnot the school: a or the with home, work, school, bed
- experiencenot the experience: the for things in general
- annot a: a or an
- languagesnot the languages: the for things in general
Common mistakes on this point
Not: She gave me an useful tip.
Say: She gave me a useful tip.
an before a vowel sound, like the start of apple, egg, ink, orange, umbrella or hour; a before other sounds, including the 'you' sound at the start of useful and university (a useful tip, a university).
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: A research suggests that…
Say: Research suggests that…
Words you can't count (research, advice, information, happiness) don't take a or an.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: The life is short.
Say: Life is short.
Plural or uncountable things in general (life, happiness, languages) take no article.
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: He goes to the work by train.
Say: He goes to work by train.
at home, go home (no to), go to work, go to school, leave school, in bed: no article when it's the usual reason you're there.
See this mistake on its own page ›