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
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.)
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.