flowexam.com teacher explaining in English articles (a, an, the, zero article) with examples for TOEIC® preparation

Guide to English Articles – TOEIC® Preparation

Flow Exam team

Mastering English articles is a fundamental pillar for communicating precisely and grasping the exact meaning of a statement. The English language uses two indefinite articles ("a" and "an"), one definite article ("the"), as well as many contexts where no article appears (the famous "zero article").

In this guide, we will explore each of these categories in detail and clarify their rules of use for the TOEIC®.

1. Indefinite Articles: "A" and "An"

The indefinite forms "a" and "an" are essentially used before countable nouns (those that can be quantified) in the singular. They are equivalent to "un" or "une" in French and serve to introduce a non-specific element or one mentioned for the very first time.

A. In which situations should you use "A" or "An"?

We use "a" or "an" in the following contexts:

  • When mentioning an element for the first time
    • I noticed a cat near the entrance.(We are referring to a random cat, without any particular specification.)
    • He's writing a letter to his friend.(The type of letter is not yet identified.)
  • To indicate a profession, status, or identity
    • She works as a nurse.(She works in the nursing profession.)
    • He dreams of becoming an engineer.(His professional goal is to be an engineer.)
  • In expressions of measurement (duration, distance, quantity, rate, speed, frequency)
    • They train three times a week.
    • She purchased a kilo of apples.
    • The ticket costs a thousand yen.
    • The car was traveling at 60 miles an hour.
  • To identify a member of a general category
    • A laptop is an essential tool nowadays.(A laptop (in general) is indispensable.)
    • A dolphin is an intelligent mammal.(Dolphins are intelligent in general.)
  • After certain phrases introducing a description or comparison
    • What a stunning view!
    • He runs as fast as a leopard.
  • With indefinite quantifiers (a lot of, quite a, a few, a little, a couple of, rather, etc.)
    • We met a few colleagues at the conference.
    • Could you add a little milk?

B. How to distinguish "A" from "An"?

"A" is used before a consonant sound (i.e., when the word begins with a consonant sound).

  • A dog, A table, A university(Note: "university" begins with the vowel "u" but is pronounced /juː/, a consonant sound.)
  • She's looking for a European supplier.(Although "European" starts with "E", we use "a" because the initial sound is /j/, a consonant sound.)

"An" is used before a vowel sound (i.e., when the word begins with a vowel sound).

  • An umbrella, An idea, An hour(The "h" in "hour" is silent, so we hear a vowel sound at the beginning.)
  • He ordered an espresso after lunch.(The word "espresso" begins with the sound /e/, so we use "an".)
Key Point"A" precedes consonant sounds: /b/, /k/, /d/, /j/, etc."An" precedes vowel sounds: /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/, as well as silent "h"s.

2. The Definite Article: "The"

"The" corresponds in French to "le", "la", or "les" depending on the context. In English, we simply use "the" in the following situations:

A. Specific Identification and Uniqueness

To designate a unique or already known entity

  • An element already mentioned: "The" is used when an object has been mentioned previously or when that object is presumed known to the listener:
    • Could you hand me the folder we discussed this morning?(Can you hand me the folder we talked about this morning?)
  • To refer to something unique by nature: "The" accompanies certain elements that, by their nature, exist only in a single copy:
    • The Moon influences ocean tides.(The Moon influences ocean tides.)

To provide a decisive specification

"The" is used when the context or an additional piece of information makes the element specific:

  • Open the door; the manager is expecting you.(Open the door; the manager is expecting you.)

B. Geographical Sites, Places, and Institutions

To name particular geographical entities

  • Rivers, oceans, and canals: The article "the" accompanies the names of rivers, oceans, and canals:
    • The Amazon is the largest river by discharge volume.(The Amazon is the river with the largest discharge volume.)
    • The Atlantic separates Europe from the Americas.(The Atlantic separates Europe from the Americas.)
  • Mountain ranges and archipelagos: "The" designates geographical groups:
    • The Himalayas contain the world's highest peaks.(The Himalayas contain the world's highest peaks.)

To identify institutions, companies, and organizations

Certain names of establishments, institutions, or media outlets systematically use "the":

  • They read an article in The New York Times yesterday.(They read an article in The New York Times yesterday.)
  • The British Museum houses extraordinary collections.(The British Museum houses extraordinary collections.)

C. Social Groups, Species, and Comparative Structures

To represent a defined set

  • Families or groups of people: "The" designates all members of a family or a social collective:
    • The Johnsons are moving to Australia next year.(The Johnsons are moving to Australia next year.)
  • Categories characterized by an adjective: "The" is used to talk about social groups or collective phenomena:
    • The unemployed face significant challenges in this economy.(The unemployed face significant challenges in this economy.)

In comparative and superlative structures

"The" is essential for constructing superlatives or certain comparisons:

  • This is recognized as the fastest train in the country.(This is recognized as the fastest train in the country.)
  • We chose the same strategy as our competitors.(We chose the same strategy as our competitors.)

3. The Zero Article (Article Omission)

In English, many situations require the complete absence of an article (definite or indefinite). Here is an overview of the most frequent cases:

A. Languages, Academic Subjects, and General Activities

  • Languages and academic disciplines: No article appears when referring to a language or a field of study
    • She speaks Mandarin and Japanese.(She speaks Mandarin and Japanese.)
    • He's majoring in economics.(He is majoring in economics.)
  • Sports and leisure activities: No article is necessary with names of activities or sports when referring to the activity in general
    • Swimming strengthens the cardiovascular system.(Swimming strengthens the cardiovascular system.)
    • Tennis demands excellent coordination.(Tennis demands excellent coordination.)

B. Geographical Locations and Spaces: From Cities to Celestial Bodies

  • Cities, countries, and simple geographical spaces: No article is used when referring to well-identified places, without additional qualifiers.
    • They relocated to Canada last autumn.(They relocated to Canada last autumn.)
    • She's currently working in Singapore.(She is currently working in Singapore.)
  • Streets, parks, and public spaces: No article accompanies names of streets, parks, or common neighborhoods in a general context.
    • The office is located on Fifth Avenue.(The office is located on Fifth Avenue.)
  • Planets and celestial bodies: No article is used with most names of planets and celestial objects
    • Mars and Venus were visible at dawn.(Mars and Venus were visible at dawn.)

C. Abstract Notions and General Concepts

  • Generalities and universal truths: No article is used when addressing an abstract or universal notion, to emphasize the overall nature.
    • Freedom remains a fundamental human right.(Freedom remains a fundamental human right.)
    • Knowledge empowers individuals.(Knowledge empowers individuals.)
  • Uncountable nouns and plural forms: No article accompanies uncountable nouns and general plurals, to highlight their universal dimension.
    • Oxygen is vital for survival.(Oxygen is vital for survival.)
    • Children learn through play.(Children learn through play.)

D. Particular Contexts and Exceptions

  • Numbers and precise designations: No article is necessary when a name is directly followed by a number or an alphanumeric designation
    • The meeting will be held in room 305.(The meeting will be held in room 305.)
  • Certain media and publications: No article appears in most names of magazines or journals, unless the title already includes the article.
    • She subscribes to National Geographic.(She subscribes to National Geographic.)
    • Forbes publishes an annual billionaire list.(Forbes publishes an annual billionaire list.)
  • General quantitative expressions: No article is used to mean "most" or "many" in a non-specific way
    • Most prefer a clear explanation.(Most prefer a clear explanation.)
  • Illnesses and pathologies: No article accompanies the names of certain illnesses to express a generality, except in specific contexts.
    • Cancer research has made significant progress.(Cancer research has made significant progress.)
    • Pneumonia can be serious if untreated.(Pneumonia can be serious if untreated.)
  • Everyday places: No article is used when mentioning usual spaces, such as work or school, when speaking of the activity in general.
    • She goes to bed early because she starts work at 7 a.m.(She goes to bed early because she starts work at 7 a.m.)
    • After class, students usually go to the library.(After class, students usually go to the library.)

4. Nuances and Specific Situations

A. Speaking Generally (Uncountable or Plural Noun)

  • Art enriches our lives.We do not use "the" before "art" if we are talking about art in general.
  • Computers have transformed modern society.General plural, no article.

However, if we refer to a specific element or a well-defined set, we use "the":

  • The art displayed in this gallery is exceptional.Specific art (in this gallery).
  • The computers in the lab need upgrading.Those computers, not all computers in general.

B. Countable Nouns vs. Uncountable Nouns

  • Countable nouns (chair, concept, question…) require an article (or a determiner like "my", "some", etc.) if they are in the singular.
    • I need a pen.
    • I found the pen.
    • I borrowed your pen.
  • Uncountable nouns (advice, research, furniture…) generally appear without an article when talking about the notion in general, or preceded by "the" when referring to something specific.
    • Research is essential for innovation.
    • The research conducted by this team was groundbreaking.(specific)

C. Cases of Titles, Functions, and Positions

  • When speaking of a function in general, "the" is omitted:
    • She was appointed director in 2021.
  • When speaking of the position held by a specific person, "the" is used:
    • She is the Director of Marketing at our company.

Conclusion

Articles in English constitute an essential pillar of linguistic precision and communication clarity. "A" and "an" introduce a singular countable noun in an indefinite way or upon a first mention. "The" allows referencing a specific element, previously mentioned, or unique of its kind. Finally, many contexts, particularly abstract concepts, languages, meals, and certain geographical locations, function without an article ("zero article").

In the context of the TOEIC®, articles regularly appear in the grammar sections (parts 5 and 6) and the reading comprehension sections (part 7). Mastering the use of "a", "an", "the", and the zero article allows you to avoid penalizing errors and maximize your score.

Here are other grammar resources to optimize your TOEIC® preparation:

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