Grammar Games Speed Round
Articles Game: A, An and The
Choose a, an, the or no article in quick rounds.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Choose your run
No sign-up. Just a quick round and the corrections that matter.
Keep learning
Play first. Understand every answer.
The round is short; the corrections are the lesson. Use the guide below whenever you want a refresher.
How to play
- Choose Practice for an untimed round or Challenge for a timed round with three lives.
- Practice lets you choose a difficulty. Challenge mixes all three levels in a 12-question round.
- Read the explanation after each answer, then continue with the related exercises for a full lesson.
Grammar guide
Articles Game: A, An and The: rules and examples
Use a or an for one thing and the when we know which thing. Choose a or an by the sound of the next word, not by its spelling.
01
A or an
Use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound. Listen to the sound, not the letter.
I have a book and an apple.
Book starts with a consonant sound. Apple starts with a vowel sound.She is a university student. We wait an hour.
University starts with a "you" sound. The h in hour is silent.
02
The
Use the when we know which thing, or when there is only one.
I have a dog. The dog is black.
First we say a dog. Then we say the dog.The sun is hot today.
There is only one sun.
03
Jobs
Use a or an before a job.
He is a doctor. She is an English teacher.
Say a or an with a job.
04
No article
Use no article with plural nouns in general, and usually with names of people, cities and countries. A few countries take the.
Dogs are good friends. Maria is from Peru.
No article with plural nouns in general or with most countries.They live in the USA.
The USA and the UK take the.
FAQ
How do I choose a or an?
Listen to the first sound of the next word. Use an before a vowel sound (an apple, an hour) and a before a consonant sound (a book, a university).
Why do we say an hour but a university?
Hour starts with a silent h, so it begins with a vowel sound. University begins with a "you" sound, which is a consonant sound.
When do I use the?
Use the when you and the listener know which thing, when you mention it for the second time, or when there is only one, like the sun or the sky.
Do I use a or an with plural nouns?
No. A and an are only for one thing. For plural nouns in general, use no article: Dogs are good friends.
Can I use this game in class?
Yes. Let learners say the next sound aloud before they choose a or an, then reveal each explanation.
Does the game save my score?
Your best Challenge score is saved in this browser.