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: 4769

The Indefinite Article: A or AN
Level: elementary
Age: 10-17
Downloads: 4237

Grammar Review for Beginners - 3-page review, 14 different exercises, fully editable, with keys included
Level: elementary
Age: 12-17
Downloads: 2501

A weekend in London - past simple and articles
Level: elementary
Age: 9-17
Downloads: 2333

Definite, Indefinite and Zero Article
Level: elementary
Age: 10-12
Downloads: 2276

Articles: A or An
Level: elementary
Age: 6-17
Downloads: 2300

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�� DEFINITE ARTICLE��

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� �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.

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�� INDEFINITE ARTICLE��

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�� 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.

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	� 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

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	� 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

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

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�tree	�umbrella	�igloo	�teacher	�eskimo
		�	� �
�house	�boy	�egg	�ostrich	�pear

�icecream cone	�duck	�map	�eagle	�unicorn

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

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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.

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�� ZERO ARTICLE��

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

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�� 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.

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

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�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.

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�by Anna Pessoa

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