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Different parts of sentences have different names, such as nouns, verbs and prepositions.

 

The words the, a and an are called articles. (This may seem confusing, as an article is usually something we read in a newspaper or magazine!). They are used with nouns.

the cat

a cow

an elephant

 

an elephant

 

The word the is called a definite article. We use it when we are referring to a particular noun.

Carrie gave the dog its dinner. (Carrie gave the dinner to one particular dog.)

 

a dog

 

The words a and an are called indefinite articles. We use them when we are not referring to a particular noun.

Carrie would like to have a dog of her own. (Carrie would like any dog, not one particular one.)

 

We use an if the noun begins with a vowel sound.

an apple

an hour (The 'h' is silent so we need an.)

 

In this activity, you can practise identifying definite and indefinite articles in sentences.

 

boy writing

10 questions