English Exercises: Articles

Downloadable worksheets:

READING Comprehension -Two articles: E-mails - a sign of progress or of laziness? / Text messaging :-) OR :-(?
Level: intermediate
Age: 12-17
Downloads: 4787

The Indefinite Article: A or AN
Level: elementary
Age: 10-17
Downloads: 4268

Grammar Review for Beginners - 3-page review, 14 different exercises, fully editable, with keys included
Level: elementary
Age: 12-17
Downloads: 2519

A weekend in London - past simple and articles
Level: elementary
Age: 9-17
Downloads: 2348

Definite, Indefinite and Zero Article
Level: elementary
Age: 10-12
Downloads: 2282

Articles: A or An
Level: elementary
Age: 6-17
Downloads: 2315

DEFINITE ARTICLE

The definite article is used...	before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular
	to refer to something that has already been mentioned or that is clear from the context or situation. My neighbour bough a new car. The car is red. "Where's the bus stop?"
	in sentences or clauses where we identify a particular person or object. The man who stole dad's watch was caught.
	to refer to unique objects. the sun the moon the stars
	before musical instruments (but not before sports). My sister plays the piano and my brother plays tennis.
	before some geographical nouns - rivers, mountain ranges, island groups (archipelagos), lake groups, rivers, deserts, seas (but not before continents, countries, towns, lakes, islands, mountains and volcanoes) The Amazon is the greatest river in the world. Lake Ontario is one of the Great Lakes..
	before the names of most hotels, museums, cinemas, theatres and newspapers, but not before names of streets. The Sheraton is a very good hotel.
	before the superlative form. The highest building in the world is in Dubai.
	before ordinal numbers. The first baby tooth is starting to come out.

INDEFINITE ARTICLE

                        /

   The indefinite artice is used...
with singular countable nouns.
to refer to something for the first time.
I saw an octopus at the Aquarium.

to refer to a particular member of a group.
Tom is a lawyer.

meaning one person or object.
I'd like a cup of tea, please.

before hundreds, thousands and millions.
My grandma gave me a hundred dollars.
when we don't specify the person or thing we are refering to.
I saw a squirrel this morning.

When we talk about something for the first time.
Maureen has a new cat. The cat is brown.

	We use "a" before words beginning with a consonant.
	a boat a car a pencil
	We also use "a" before "u" and "eu" when they sound like "you"
	a uniform, a university, a European

	We use "an" before words beginning with a vowel.
	an apple an elephant an insect
	We also use "an" before an "h" mute.
	an hour

. Write the correct form of the indefinite article. Use "a" or "an".


tree	umbrella	igloo	teacher	eskimo

house	boy	egg	ostrich	pear

icecream cone	duck	map	eagle	unicorn

. Choose the correct form and write the number under the appropriate picture.

1. Bill and his dad are flying kite. kite is blue.

2. man wearing purple suit is playing guitar.

3. children are making snowman.

4. beach ball is always round.

5. crayon is red.

6. Dad bought new car. car is red.

7. Soccer players must wear uniform.

8. octopus has eight tentacles.

ZERO ARTICLE

The term ZERO ARTICLE is used when definite or indefinite articles are not used. Articles are not used with:

uncountable nouns - water, rice, juice...

plural countable nouns when the reference is indefinite - Mum likes roses.

proper names - Bill, Mary, Susan... (but the Jones, the Smiths...)

countries - Brazil, Portugal, China... (but the United Kingdom, the United States, the Hague...)

sports - tennis, soccer...

towns and principal buildings - Rochester, Winchester Cathedral...

names of places and institutions - Washington Square, Harvard University, Victoria Station...

names of days, months, seasons and holidays - Tuesday, October, spring, Christmas...

pubs and restaurants ending in 's - Bob's, Joe & Leo's, Elaine's...

places when we do not mean the places themselves but the purpose they are used for -

Henry went to school in Ohio State (purpose: to study)

Mrs. Smith went to the school to meet with her son's teacher (school = actual place)

means of transport - Dad goes to work by car.

common expressions of time and place - I go to school at noon.

. Choose the correct option - The, A, An or X (Zero Article)

1. My mum likes tea but my dad likes coffee.

2. Grandma grows roses. I love roses in her garden.

3. My brother likes to eat pancakes for breakfast.

4. Dr. Smith has a cabin in Adirondacks near Lake Placid.

5. I'd love to go surfing in Hawaii.

6. Dad listens to radio in his car.

7. Nile is the longest river of the world.

8. women like sales.

9. Our friends, Smiths, are going to Disneyworld.

10. Lampis Island is in Merchi archipelago in Myanmar.

11. Victoria is English teacher.

12. My uncle has already been to Rocky Mountains.

by Anna Pessoa