Vocabulary
7 key words for this lesson
A
Use before one thing that starts with a consonant sound. It means "any one".
I have a car.
AN
Use before one thing that starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
I want an orange.
THE
Use for a specific thing that you and the listener both know.
The menu is on the table.
SPECIFIC
One exact thing, not any thing.
"The book on the shelf" is a specific book.
IN GENERAL
About all things of one type, not one thing.
Cats are nice. (cats in general)
VOWEL
The letters a, e, i, o and u.
"Apple" starts with a vowel, so we say "an apple".
CONSONANT
All letters that are not vowels, like b, c, d.
"Dog" starts with a consonant, so we say "a dog".
Grammar Focus
Understand the grammar rule behind this lesson's topic
Grammar focus
Grammar Focus: A / An vs The
Use A before a consonant sound (a dog) and AN before a vowel sound (an apple). Use THE when you and the listener know which one. Use NO article for things in general: "Cats are nice."
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
a + consonant sound
Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound.
a book, a cat, a university
an + vowel sound
Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound.
an apple, an egg, an hour
the + specific thing
Use "the" when the listener knows which one.
"Where's the menu?" (the menu in this café)
the + only one
Use "the" when there is only one.
the sun, the moon, the sky
no article + general
Use no article for things in general (plural or uncountable).
Sugar is sweet. Dolphins are smart.
a → the
First time: "a". Second time: "the".
I saw a dog. The dog was very big.
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“Listen to the SOUND, not the letter. "University" starts with a "you" sound, so we say "a university".”
“"Hour" starts with a silent h, so it sounds like "our". We say "an hour".”
Register
Understand when and how to use each phrase — formal, neutral, or informal
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Kira
TimHi Tim! Have you tried the coffee here?
No, I haven't. Is it good?
Yes, it's amazing! I always order a cappuccino.
I'll have a cappuccino too, then. Where's the menu?
The menu is on the table. They also have an amazing apple cake.
Great. I love cake! And in general, I love sweet things.
Me too. Look, there's a free table by the window.
Perfect. Let's sit at the table by the window.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
I want to buy— — —new shirt today.
Sentence 2
She lives in— — —apartment near the park.
Sentence 3
— — —sun sets in the west.
Sentence 4
I need— — —umbrella. It might rain.
Sentence 5
Can you pass me— — —salt, please?
Sentence 6
He wants to be— — —astronaut.
Sentence 7
Let's have— — —picnic in the park tomorrow.
Sentence 8
Have you seen— — —movie we watched last night?
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Choose the correct sentence.
2.Choose the correct word: "___ moon is beautiful tonight."
3.Choose the correct word: "I study at ___ university."
4.Which sentence talks about things in general?
5."I saw a dog. ___ dog was very big." Which word?
6.Choose the correct word: "It takes ___ hour to get there."