a / an and the

Rules

• Rule 1: a before a consonant sound

  If the word starts with a consonant sound (b, c, d, k, p, t …), use a.

  Pattern: a + consonant sound

  Example: a pen

  Example: a rabbit

• Rule 2: an before a vowel sound

  If the word starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u sounds), use an. It is easier to say: an apple, not “a apple”.

  Pattern: an + vowel sound

  Example: an octopus

  Example: an egg

• Rule 3: Listen to the sound, not the letter

  *hour* starts with h, but we say “our” → an hour. *uniform* starts with u, but we say “you” → a uniform. If an adjective comes first, look at the adjective: an apple, but a big apple.

  Pattern: an hour · a uniform · a big apple

  Example: We play for an hour.

  Example: It is a useful book.

• Rule 4: the = the one we know

  First time → a / an. Second time → the. We also use the for things there is only one of: the sun, the moon, the sky.

  Pattern: a dog … → the dog · the sun

  Example: I have a kite. The kite is yellow.

  Example: The moon is bright tonight.

Common mistakes

• She is doctor. → She is a doctor.

  Use a / an before a job.

• It is a elephant. → It is an elephant.

  “elephant” starts with a vowel sound → an.

• A sun is hot. → The sun is hot.

  There is only one sun → the.