Articles Rules (A, An, The) — Explained
This page explains each rule (with logic + mistakes). After reading, do the MCQ practice.
Sound rule
Specific vs General
Most asked in exams
Contents
1) A vs An (Sound Rule) 2) Use of “The” (Specific/Unique) 3) Zero Article (No Article) 4) Geography Names Rules 5) Special Rules (school/hospital etc.) 6) Mini Test (5)1) A vs An (Sound Rule)
1
Use “a” before consonant SOUND
If the next word starts with a consonant sound (b, c, d… / “you” / “wa”), we use a.
It is based on pronunciation, not spelling.
- a boy, a dog, a car
- a university (starts with “you” sound)
- a one-rupee coin (starts with “wa” sound)
Common mistake: “an university” ❌ (wrong because sound is “you”, so a university ✅)
2
Use “an” before vowel SOUND
If the next word starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u sounds), use an.
Silent letters also matter.
- an apple, an umbrella
- an hour (h is silent → vowel sound)
- an MBA / an MLA (starts with “em” sound)
Common mistake: “a hour” ❌ (correct: an hour ✅)
Exam trick: If you can say “em / en / ef” while reading the first letter, usually it takes an (an M…, an N…, an F…).
2) Use of “The” (Specific / Known / Unique)
3
Use “the” when something is specific / already known
Use the when both speaker and listener know which person/thing is being talked about.
Usually second mention becomes the.
- I saw a dog. The dog was barking.
- Close the door. (a particular door)
4
Use “the” for unique things (one in the world / one in context)
Use the when there is only one such thing (or it is treated as unique).
- the sun, the moon, the Earth
5
Use “the” with superlatives and ordinal numbers
Superlatives (best/most/least…) and ordinals (first/second…) point to a specific rank, so we use the.
- the best student, the most important
- the first time, the second chapter
6
Use “the” with musical instruments (general meaning)
When we talk about ability to play an instrument in general, we usually use the.
- She plays the piano.
- He plays the guitar.
Note: “I bought a guitar” ✅ (here it is one guitar = possession, so “a” is correct)
3) Zero Article (No Article)
7
No article with plural nouns when meaning is general
If you talk about all items of a class (general truth), do not use an article with plural countable nouns.
- Books are useful.
- Students should study daily.
8
No article with uncountable nouns (general sense)
Uncountable nouns (milk, sugar, advice, information, furniture) usually take no article when you mean them generally.
- Milk is healthy.
- Information is important.
But: “the milk in the glass” ✅ (specific milk, so “the” can be used)
4) Geography Names Rules (Most Confusing)
9
Use “the” with rivers, seas, oceans
These are treated as common names of water bodies, so we use the.
- the Ganga, the Brahmaputra
- the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean
10
Use “the” with mountain ranges & groups of islands
Ranges/groups are plural in idea, so we use the.
- the Himalayas
- the Andamans
11
No “the” with single mountains, lakes & most countries
Proper names of single mountains/lakes/countries usually do not take “the”.
- Mount Everest, Lake Chilika
- India, Japan, France
But: the United States / the United Kingdom ✅ (see next rule)
12
Use “the” with countries having States/Kingdom/Republic etc.
When the name is a description (states/kingdom/republic/emirates), it takes the.
- the United States
- the United Kingdom
5) Special Rules (Meaning Changes)
13
School / College / Hospital / Prison / Church
If you mean the purpose (as student/patient/prisoner/worship), use zero article.
If you mean the building/place, use the.
- He goes to school. (as a student)
- He went to the school to meet the teacher. (building)
- She is in hospital. (as a patient)
- She went to the hospital to visit her friend. (place)
14
Meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner)
Meals generally take zero article. Use “a/the” only when it is a specific meal (special or already known).
- I have breakfast at 8 AM.
- We enjoyed a breakfast at the hotel. (one special breakfast)
6) Mini Test (5 Questions)
Click an option to reveal the answer.