Definite and Indefinite Articles
What are Articles?
Articles are used to modify and define nouns, and as such they play a very important role in conveying meaning and context. We use the before a noun when both the speaker and listener know which thing is being spoken about, and a or an when they do not.
For example, if Ellie says, “Zarah, please pass me a pen”, then Zarah knows it doesn’t really matter which pen she gives Ellie. If, on the other hand, Ellie says, “Where’s the pen I lent you?”, then Zarah knows she’ll need to find the specific pen that Ellie’s after.
Definite Article — “The”
A definite article is a type of article used in English grammar to indicate a specific noun or noun phrase that is known or has already been mentioned. This could be because:
It is clear from the situation or context.
It has been mentioned before.
There is only one of this thing or person. (The sun rose early this morning.)
It is defined. (As was the case with the pen Ellie lent Zarah.)
Indefinite Articles — “A” or “An”
An indefinite article is a type of article used in English grammar to refer to a non-specific noun or noun phrase. This could be because:
We are mentioning a noun for the first time.
It is not important which thing or person we are referring to. (As was the case when Ellie asked Zarah to pass her a pen.)
The choice between “a” and “an” depends on the sound at the beginning of the following word. “A” is used before consonant sounds and “an” is used before vowel sounds.
Teaching your students how to use articles correctly
If you're looking for an online resource to help your students learn how to use articles correctly, why not try Tense Buster, our online grammar program? Articles come up in two units — once in the Elementary Level, and once in the Advanced Level. The unit in the Advanced Level is available for free in the demo version of the program, try it out here!
The program takes an inductive teaching approach. In the first two exercises of each unit, students are presented with examples of definite and indefinite articles used in different contexts, and are asked to draw generalisations from those examples. They then come across the grammar rule, and practise using articles correctly with a range of exercises.
That way, students are encouraged to actively engage with the material, and to use critical thinking skills to analyse and make sense of the examples they are given.
If you have any questions on Tense Buster, or any of our other online English programs, please get in touch.