Articles: A, An, The

In English, the small words a, an and the (called articles) show if we are talking about something general or something specific. Sometimes we use no article at all.

1. A / An

We use a or an with one thing when we talk about it for the first time, or when it’s not a specific one.

• Use a before a consonant sound (b, c, d, h...): a book, a car, a hotel
• Use an before a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u): an apple, an hour, an idea

It depends on the sound, not the letter: an hour (the “h” is silent), but a university (it starts with a “you” sound).

• I saw a movie last night. (We don’t know which one yet.)
• She’s reading an article about climate change.

2. The

Use the when both the speaker and the listener know which thing we mean: it was mentioned before, it is clear from the situation, or there is only one.

• I saw the movie you recommended. (a specific movie)
• We visited the Eiffel Tower. (there is only one)

3. No article

Sometimes we use no article:

With plurals and things we cannot count, when we speak in general:

• Books can be expensive. (all books in general)
• Water is essential for life.

In some common expressions:

• He’s at work until six.
• I usually go to bed at eleven.

Before most countries and languages:

• She speaks Spanish.
• They live in Brazil.