Articles in the English language are words that give shape to nouns and tell us if they are specific or nonspecific. There are commonly thought to be two different types of articles. Definite articles are defined by the use of the word (the). Definite articles limit the meaning of a noun to one specific thing, as the title indicates. They can be used to define singular, plural, and even uncountable nouns. Indefinite articles indicate a more general idea or concept. Indefinite articles are usually pointed out by using the words: a or and. These worksheets will help you learn to recognize the use of articles as well as help you learn how to properly form sentences with the use of articles. These worksheets will help students really begin to ponder the usage of articles in their writing. We will begin by identifying their use in basic sentences and then creating our own to match nouns that we are presented with. We will also explore some writing skills and have students write completely original sentences using this skill at all levels along the way. This series of worksheets should help students understand the concept and then begin to use it in practice.
Printable Definite and Indefinite Articles Worksheets
Click the buttons to print each worksheet and answer key.
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Complete each sentence with a well placed thought. You will be able to understand the difference between both of these quickly with this worksheet.
Definite Article
Fill in the blank with the correct words, as needed. You will find in the English language the word "the" is the most common one of these.
Correct That!
Each sentence is a bit broken or just a bit screwy. See if you can spend some time tinkering away with it to make a solid thought process.
A, An, and The
Fill in the blank in each sentence with the correct word. You have three to choose from.
Which of the 3
Which of these words would help you best complete each sentence? In many cases several may fit, but only one sounds like the best use of language.
Make It Original!
It is time for us to create our own original sentences. This is where we start to advance this skill and really understand it.
Choice of 2
How do you feel you would best put an end to these sentences? You will be given 2 articles to choose from. There will be times when both work, but only one sounds best.
What are Articles of Language?
In fact, grammar is one of the most important aspects of language. And one of the most basic components of grammar is the article. So what are articles of language, and what role do they play in English?
Articles are words that we use to talk about nouns. There are only three articles in English, and they are some of the shortest words in the language. Articles are classified as being either definite or indefinite.
The general list of articles includes the words (a/an/the). Articles can be used to pace a sentence as being general or dialed into the thought of one day. For example, take a look at how we can transform the use of articles: After the long practice, the player smelled particularly bad. In this case we use the article (the). We can transform the sentence to a more general statement by substitute the article (the) for the article (a): After a long practice, a player smelled particularly bad.
Definite Articles
A definite article is used when we want to refer to a specific noun or group of nouns. The definite article in English is 'the.'
Usuage
- When referring to a specific noun or group of nouns: I saw the man who stole my purse.
- Before superlatives and ordinals: He's the best basketball player in the world. It was the third time I had seen that movie.
- With singular and plural nouns, regardless of whether they are countable or uncountable: the apple, the apples; the information, the news
Indefinite Articles
An indefinite article is used when we want to refer to a noun in a general sense. The indefinite article in English is 'a' or 'an'.
Usage
When we are referring to a noun in a general sense with singular countable nouns, I would like a piece of cake, please.
- Before numbers and ordinals when they represent something that we can't count: I have a lot of friends. It was my first day at school.
- With certain expressions: a couple, a few, a great deal
We don't use 'a' or 'the' before plural nouns in English. This means that plural nouns are always indefinite: I have two sisters, not 'I have the two sisters.'
The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound that begins the word that follows it. We use 'a' before words that start with a consonant sound and 'an' before words with a vowel sound.
Here are some examples:
- a dog, a girl, a car, a university
- an apple, an hour, an honest person, an umbrella
Notice that the sound of the following word determines which article to use, not necessarily the first letter. For example, the term 'hour' begins with a vowel sound, but we use 'a' before it because the vowel sound is not the same as the first letter.
Few Exceptions
There are some exceptions to this rule, however. We can use 'the' with plural nouns in the following cases:
- When referring to a specific group of people or things: The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.
- With certain expressions: the vast majority, the great majority, the overwhelming majority
- With certain plural nouns that represent a single concept: the arts, the sciences
- We also use 'the' with certain plural proper nouns: The United States, The Bahamas
The Benefits
Article Use Can Help Students Improve Their Writing Skills
Many students struggle with writing well, especially when it comes to grammar and punctuation. Articles can give them a much-needed boost in this area. By using articles correctly, students can learn how to create more apparent and concise sentences. This can be a valuable skill in both their academic and professional lives.
They Can Help Students Express Themselves More Clearly and Concisely
Writing is often about communication, and articles can be a great way to help students get their points across more effectively. When used correctly, articles can make writing sound more polished and professional. This can be helpful in both school and work settings.
Wrapping Up
There are many advantages of using articles in sentences. First, it helps you improve your writing skills. Second, it allows you to express yourself more clearly and concisely. Finally, it provides a way to check your grammar and punctuation. All these benefits can help you in your studies and your future career.