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Articles in English: How to use ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ properly
Many English students make mistakes with articles — ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’. This free English lesson teaches you how to use articles correctly. If you have any questions about this lesson, leave a comment below. If you have other English questions, ask me on the forum.
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i need to learn english
Hi James, nice to see you!
Regard to articles, we also often use “the” before plural nouns.
For instance: Both of the teachers are very good.
How we can exactly define when “the” is expected before plural nouns and when not?
hi maxim,
sometimes you can use “the” before plural nouns and it is depend on the purpose you use it. well if someone uses “the” before a plural it reflect 2 things.
the plural noun specific.
the plural noun is a general thing.
otherwise please use “a” or “an” before the plural verb.make your attention on plural verbs which starts with vowel sound and at that time you must use “an” before noun. for other consonant sounds you should use “a” before plural verb.
Hi,
Can I use articles before werb or adjective?
Thanks
Hi!you can use article before adjective ,but pay attention if,noun comes after adjective,if it is not noun after adjective,you can not use, especially a,an(indefinite article)
Hi James, nice to see you & your teaching.
Iam sorry to inform u that, iam not able to speak fluent english properly. Your Articles teaching video was very fine. Iam eager to know, if u can teach me, Quick methods of learning English Grammer. I thank u very much for you & your teaching video. now i got some idea about articles.
Thanking you,
Vinod
Hi Maxim. In the case of the plural nouns you mentioned the rules are the same. If you noticed, you used “The” to indicate that you were talking about two specific teachers. Also, you know that I know who you are talking about. So the rules apply:
1. If you all people know who you are talking about use “The”
2. If who you are talking about is specific use “The”
Hi Constantine ,
To answer your question
1. you can only use articles a/an or the before nouns
2. because adjectives go before nouns and modify nouns you can use articles before adjectives that modify single nouns
Hey Vinod… I look forward to helping you learn english
Hi James , glad to see u and your teacing.
would you please assist me on how to enhance my english fluency, but i have got good accent.the only thing is, how do i focus on my fluency.
Thanking you always in advance.
Hi Murali,
I am assuming you mean fluency in speaking. So here is a trick I teach my students:
1. Watch a movie. Put on the English subtitles.
2. Find a song that you like that has the subtitles on it.
3. Sing with the song while reading the subtitles.
4. Keep doing that until you can match the singer’s speed and match the pronunciation.
The reason this works is because singing is harder than speaking and requires a good ear to hear the words.
This will help with your fluency as you will have a greater ability to use and follow English.
I hope that helped.
James
this is A great idea! ;-)
i love all your teachngs. really english is gift for from God. thank you
Hello James! Thank you for teaching us. I have one question. Number of articles is equal to number of nouns in sentence. Is it right, or not ?
Hi James
Thanks too much for your helpful lesson. I really appreciate your effort
thanks again
Sorry for disturbing you, James. I’ve come up with the question concerning the use of articles here.
Could you assist me with this:
E.g. the situation: I’ve just talked to a person. I said good-bye to him and then say:
Thanks for a talk.
Thanks for the talk.
Thanks for a good talk.
Thanks for the good talk.
Which example in each of the pairs is the most suitable? Could you also explain it, if you please.
Sorry for burdening you again.
Thanks in advance.
Hi James. Before all I want to say thank you very much, because I am learning a lot with your classes. I have a question: I did not understand the cases where I have to use “an”. I got I have to use it when the next word begins with a vowel but I did not get the other case, about the sound of the next word. Could you explain me, please?
See you
Alejandro (Bogotá D.C. Colombia)
I’m adil, i’m from algeria, thank you for your lesson but I ask you which article (a or the) used for pluriel or no
thank you…
Bluse screen dowsnot show any thing sir
I have a question. What answer is correct in this sentence “(The) cinema is a good way to relax” or “(-)Cinema is a good way to relax”? ( means non articles), and why?
Hi James. Firs of all thanks for videos. they help me when i learn english. I have a few sentences, which i need to know are they correct, can you help me to check them? ((my answer: a, an, the or – ))
“Excuse me, please. Can you tell me how to get to …. airport? (-)
“I’m going away for …. week in September (a)
“There were no chairs, so we had to sit on floor” (i put “the” next to “on”)
can you check them for me ? Thx for helping
thank you
Hi James, I don’t understand two things:
- Where can I put on the English subtitle?
- When must I use an, if the word begins with ‘u’ and ‘e’?
When I go to then form, I can not write.
Are another people with the same problem or is my browser not good?
I want to follow all the lessons, what is the best way for me?
Just follow the levels and watching all the clips?
Thank you
Hi James,
I also have a question about the usage of articles that is not mentioned in the vid.
What about articles with enumerations. Is it common to use definite and undefinite articles with count nouns in long lists like for example:
On the table there is a pen, a book, a magazine, a piece of paper, a stapler, a notebook, and a key.
Thanks for your answer!
HI everybody, could anyone help me to understand when “the” is avoid? thanks
i have some douts…which sentence is right(1) i wud lyk to learn the piano.(2)i wud lyk to learn a piano.one more thing what r the cases when the articles has not been used.
hi rahul,the piano is an instrument that use 4 playing music. it is known by evryone so (1) is correct.
hi james!
wow!great!it really helped me a lot. i know now when/how to use these articles. great job…thanks..
Video is great, but it would be great to get more explanation where exactly use it. I am from Czech, we are not using articles. I understood everything from the video but in the quiz is correct answer: A pen is on the table. So why is not there A pen is on a table… We are speaking first time about pen and first time about table aswell…its weird sometimes
Please correct me if I am wrong:I’ll see you THE next Monday(ungrammatical sentence) and THE next Monday is a holiday.(grammatical sentence)
JAMES You are really doing a fine job.
I am a student and preparing for my exams, your English videos are really helping. I am trying to follow most of your lectures . Its only that I have some problems with phrasal verbs, how to memorize all their meanings.
For Now YOU ARE MY HERO…! PLS REPLY..!
hi james
ur teaching is really great especially the jokes inbetween.k here i am , i feel hard while reporting so pls send me t procedure of it wit some examples
I am very happy with your lesson thanks.
Hi James!I wanna say that your lessons is very usefull not only for me but also enoyher people who learn English.Thank you very much!!Ta ta for now
and buy the way the avatar don’t look like me)however it’s funny:)
How do you say/write it: a RN or an RN?
I’m confused when I use a or an…with a vowel and consonants that sounds like the opposite. Which one is grammatically correct: a RN or an RN?
If a word begins with a consonant letter, but sounds like a vowel, the article an should be used; an RN like in an hour. e.g. I waited for an hour.
I hope it helps.
Hi James, good teaching. Thanks.
Hello James, your lesson is really understandable. Thanks. :)
By the way, I have a question about Articles. The other day, I was reading news paper and I found out one sentence, television, the Internet, the telephone. Why is there no the for television??? Why two of them got the while the other does not?? Please, let me know.
Thanks,
Anece.
hi James’
what article do i use before the word Ear. i’m confused as the word starts with a vowel but does it take the vowel sound.
please answer this quickly. i’ve my exams following.
sorry to burden you.
thanks,
shilpa
I was nice lesson to me JAMES. can i have the more examples on it.
is it right.
Thanks to you with all my heart.
JAMES I LOVE YOU!!…
hi James, i have a question:
why we don’t say :”there is the book on the table” or “there is the book on a table”
ADD PRACTICE EXERCISE
how exactly is “the” used? for example, what is the diferrence between these two sentences….1.doubt is the key to knowledge.AND
2.doubt is a key to knowledge?
Very good explanations James…
Could you tell me how can I know if the article “The” has to be or has to be omitted in a phrase?
Thanks in advance
thanks james i realy understand
I really like the way you explained on this topic.You are a great teacher James.
I am hoping you will continue sharing of all the knowledge you gained because this is very helpful not only to me but to all viewers of your website..Thank you to all teachers shared their ideas especially to you teacher James.
thannks alot for these perfect video , and your way of teaching was very good an i like it
i like this lesson butbi donot find the quize
I like your vedios. it helps me lot in my exams and in conversation.I have problems with SUBORDINATORS AND TRANSITION WORDS.If possible for u please give me some idia about that. I will be very thankfull for that my exam is on next monday.
You made a mistake with your sentence: “everyone knows what your talking about.” It should be “everyone knows what YOU’RE talking about. I think you are a good teacher but you have to be careful next time. :).. no offense meant. I like your teaching method by the way.. :)
Yup, I agree. Be careful, James!
hi James, I just signed up. Appreciate your time helping people to improve their language. I kind of speak very good english but I still need help :(. I always use find it difficult using articles although I understand the basic rule how and when to use them. However, I found it difficult in a bigger sentence such as “.. its impact on sanitation, the spread of diseases, the distraction of infrastructure…”. Do you the THE used in this sentence in two places is correct? Please could you explain. Thank you so much. Look forward to hearing from you.
I appreciate all your lectures. very informative..
Please explain there is and there are in relation to countable and uncountable nouns..
great video
i need to learn good english
Hi James,
I would greatly appreciate if you help me with the following:
‘In history’ – We use zero article, because noun is uncountable and non-specific.
‘In United states history’ – In this case noun is specific for me and i don’t understand why i can’t use ‘the’ article.
Thanks in advance.
Hello sir why we are not using an in the word university. Need a clear explanation if possible.keep up the good work.
Hello sir why we are not using an in the word university. Need a clear explanation if possible.keep up the good work. sir also you did not said about what is an article
Hi James thanks a lot for your lessons, could you please tell me when to use article the and when to do not do it, I will appreciate your help as soon as possible,
Thanks : )
hi james could help me about modal futuer and modal conclusions thanks:I will appreciay you !
Thank you very much,, This very useful to me^^
which article will be used
Kashmir is a/the beautiful place.
Hi, Magda
Is there any mistake in this sentence?
On 26th of this month my the whole family is going to celebrate the new baby’s birthday of my sister.
I’m talking with someone who knows the matter. Thanks in advance.
It was a very nice lesson, but how can we use them in writing?
To Magda
I am not expert in English but I saw some mistakes on your sentences.
This is just my opinion: After ‘my’ you should not use ‘the’ article and also ‘whole’ should come front of ‘my family’
Hi Ganaa,
Thank you for your comment.
Magda
Hi Jame you are so great!thankyou for your wonderful lessons!
Oh, I’d like to have a test after the lesson about articles!!!
Hi, why we use plural verb form after “A number of” and singular verb form after “The number of”. explain please
sometimes, we don’t use articles at all. When we do that?
It was a great lesson, by the way!!!
i need to learn excellent english, could u help me?
The constrast on the board was too bad. I did not get rady what you wrote on the board. I sugest you do the class again uing better pen or reducing the light
thank you,
these lessons really helps me! :)
THANK YOU
Hi James,
I have doubt whether I should use or not definite article in next example:
Have you ever seen ___ Everest?
Thanks in advance
In my language, Khmer, we don’t use article. Thanks for this article lesson, James.
thank for your lesson !! :))
Hi James,
can I ask you
how to know whether the sentence refers to what is the first time shows?
Tnx
Hi James,
I likeed your lesson!
Thanks
Jeff (from recife city in Brazil)
hi James
why we do not use ‘the’ before Asia
when we say
I am living in Asia
Asia is specific n known all over the world
and why do we use the when we say
I am living in the continent of Asia
thanks
hi James, thanks for helpful lesson, and how about other cases of usage?
Thanks. Marina, Russia, Vladivostok
hi james, thanks for this lesson
it’s helpful. thanks~
Good Video. Thanks.
thank you @james:This was a great lesson.
Thanks a lot Teacher James. I love your accent, you are very clear and I really appreciate your help. Thanks since Guatemala
please try to use a fresh marker next time
other wise it was fantastic
Thank you for your teaching….
Thanks for ur passion James!!
I was reading an English book and I have a question, can I say “AN MP3 PLAYER?”…why? ..the other question, is correct to say ” These are an umbrella and a dictionary?…
GREAT VIDEO MR JAMES
i dont know hoe to use these articles,i mean where a will com,and AN,the…could you explain it
I still don’t know how to use the articles a and an, I’m confused, any help.
thanks
As usual greet.
Thank you alot 8)
I just want to learn more English, but I’m a bit more concerned about learning IELTS. Please get me know everything regarding this. THANK YOU
hay james Is it possible to say an european?
Hi i learned a lot after watching your videos. This is really a big help for me… can i ask your skype.. :)
Thank you very much ..:)
hi james first of all i would like to thank you i am 16 years old
mmm my english is verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry very very bad i have problems in present past future simple… and also i have problems in conversation with others soooooo i need help please;(
Hi James,
first I wanna thank you for all your valuable video lessons. These articles have been haunting me and I thought it was time that I needed an expert’s help. When it comes to articles, it seems like everyone talks about general and specific things. I no longer have problems with them. But it seems like they are pretty often used regardless of those rules.
For example
1)the water vs water
2) get in line!! vs hold the line!
I assume that the best thing I can do with them
is to just memorize them but I am wondering if
you have any other idea to make it any easier.
thank you
hi James, I am chaminda from sri lanka Going to seat for IELTS General Exam in Next Month help me for Writing and Reading Module and How to Prepare for IELTS good Marks. Give me Your Opinions & advice Please help me
Hi , James , I want to ask of you. can you give us some paragraphs for this subject? and can you write all example in the blackboard? please, James, you are awesome teacher and you are awesome teachers in this world. thank you very much for help.
Hi James.May i have your skype id plz if possible.Realy i like your teaching techniques and style
u cool. i like ur lessons.
P.S. as i know flyers is a hockey team,isnt it? lol thanks
its such a nice artical i really appreciate your effort thanx ….
Hi. me again. i know there’s a lot of comments flooding in and you’re probably busy answering some but just like others i’m confused. someone told me the difference between “the”(pronounced as duh) and “the” (pronounce as deeh) depends on the first letter of the next word. example.
- the (deeh) elephant is old.
- the (duh) food is expired.
is this right? again, thanks for the help.
He makes a mistake on his reference to the Flyers as a baseball team, but as teaching it is 9.5 out of 10. He explains it better than I can, and I have been teaching this or trying to for 30+ yrs!
thanks james
Hi James,
I teach English in a secondary school in Toulouse, France.
I like the way you explain the present simple. Do you do the same thing with the present be-ing and the present perfect ?
About “the article”, could you tell me, how do you explain “what a beautiful day”. Thanks.
Best regards
also want o learn english
Hi James,
My teacher told me that I can use “the” for plural. Is it correct?
I’m not sure. When do I use “an”?
I use “an” when the words begin with the “vowel”.
Why do we use “a” for European or University? When do I use “a” instead “an” for the words begin with the vowels sound?
Thank you so much :)
Hi James, this website and the lessons presented by you and other teachers have helped me to improve my grammar. I would like to request you to explain the use of ‘THE’ where required and not required with some examples that would help remember. Thanks!
Hey, James, I think your teaching way is different from the other one. I like your style! Little suggestion: I think you have to make a quiz in your vid!
I noticed you wrote in one sentence “Everybody knows what YOUR talking about” and in other “Everbody knows what you are talking about”.What is the difference between YOUR and YOU ARE here ? :S
I have noticed you wrote in one sentence “Everybody knows what YOUR talking about” and in other “Everybody knows what YOU ARE alking about”.What is the difference between YOUR and YOU ARE here ? :S
:S “your” was a typo! It should be “you are” or “you’re”.
i am not able to understand a, an , hte
I recently read somewhere that we can’t use an article before an adjective if the adjective is followed by a abstract noun…how far is this correct…any exceptions to this rule…?
e.g. A great misrey resented upon them.
OR Great misery resented upon them.