Grade 2 English Articles – Use Of Article A, An And The In A Sentence Notes
Articles: a, an, the
Hello! We will learn how to use the small words "a", "an" and "the" in sentences. These words come before nouns (people, places or things).
1) 'a' — for one non-specific thing
Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound. It means "one" but not a particular one.
- a cat 🐱 — any cat, not a special cat
- a matatu 🚌 — any matatu, not one we know
- a book 📘 — one book (not a particular book)
2) 'an' — for one that starts with a vowel sound
Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
- an orange 🍊
- an umbrella ☔
- an elephant 🐘
Note: sometimes a word begins with 'h' but the sound is a vowel (like "hour") — we say "an hour".
3) 'the' — for something specific or already known
Use "the" when you mean a particular thing that both the speaker and listener know.
- the teacher — the teacher we both know 👩🏫
- the school — the one we go to 🏫
- the sun — there is only one sun 🌞
Simple rules to remember
- 'a' before consonant sounds (a dog, a bus).
- 'an' before vowel sounds (an apple, an inch).
- 'the' when we talk about a specific person or thing (the book, the teacher).
Practice: Fill the blank with a / an / the
- ___ apple 🍎
- ___ banana 🍌
- ___ giraffe 🦒
- ___ elephant 🐘
- ___ matatu 🚌
- ___ moon 🌕
- ___ teacher 👨🏫 (one you know)
- ___ orange 🍊
Answers:
- an apple
- a banana
- a giraffe
- an elephant
- a matatu
- the moon
- the teacher
- an orange
More easy examples
I have a pen. ✏️
I saw an ant. 🐜
Close the door — the door is open. 🚪
Good job! Practice with things around you: look at objects and ask, "Is it one of many? Use 'a' or 'an'. Is it a special one? Use 'the'."