Quick help: Articles

Need help deciding whether your sentence needs the article a, an, or the or no article? For more help, follow the links.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: When our department ordered a new copier, we had to figure out whether to keep old copier. Revised sentence: When our department ordered a new copier, we had to figure out whether to keep the old copier. Explanation: The article “the” has been inserted before “old copier.”

Get help using the.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The new ladder truck could reach highest building in town. Revised sentence: The new ladder truck could reach the highest building in town. Explanation: The article “the” has been inserted before “highest building.”

Get help using the.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Hikers were instructed to carry water bottle and flashlight for trek to lava flow. Revised sentence: Hikers were instructed to carry a water bottle and a flashlight for the trek to the lava flow. Explanation: The article “a” has been inserted before “water bottle” and “flashlight” and the article “the” has been inserted before “trek” and “lava flow.”

Get help using a and using the.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: We all had a confidence in our coach. Revised sentence: We all had confidence in our coach. Explanation: The article “a” has been deleted before “confidence.”

Get help using articles with noncount nouns.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The honesty is the most important characteristic of candidates for high office. Revised sentence: Honesty is the most important characteristic of candidates for high office. Explanation: The article “the” has been deleted before “honesty.”

Get help using articles with general nouns.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The cruise passed Falkland Islands, rounded the Cape Horn, and headed up the coast of the Chile. Revised sentence: The cruise passed the Falkland Islands, rounded Cape Horn, and headed up the coast of Chile. Explanation: The article “the” has been added before “Falkland Islands” and has been deleted before “Cape Horn” and “Chile.”

Get help using articles with proper nouns.

Exercises:

Using articles 1

Using articles 2

Using articles 3

Articles and types of nouns