Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 69 · A2

a/an and the

Use a or an when you say something for the first time or mean any one; use the when it is clear which one you mean, because it was mentioned before or there is only one in the situation.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 25 minutes

In this lesson

a/an: one of many; the: this oneA1 screen of questions
First time, then theB1 screen of questions
the: it is clear whichC1 screen of questions
Put it together+7 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

a/an: one of many; the: this one

There are three windows in the room. a window means one of the three. the window means a particular one, and both people know which.

  • Can you open a window? (any one)
  • Can you open the window? (the one we both know)
  • I've got a car. The car is outside. (my car)

Point A · Extra practice

Put in a or the.

  1. I've got brother and two sisters.

  2. Close door, please. It's cold in here.

  3. Is there bank near here?

Point B of 3

First time, then the

Use a/an the first time you mention something, then the.

  • I had a sandwich and an apple for lunch. The sandwich wasn't very nice.
  • We stayed at a hotel. The hotel was by the sea.
  • There's a dog in the garden. The dog is barking.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in a or the. Use a the first time, then the.

  1. I bought a shirt and a tie. shirt was in the sale.

  2. We watched a film last night. film was terrible.

  3. There's cat in the garden. The cat is black.

Point C of 3

the: it is clear which

Use the when it is clear which thing or person you mean: the door, the ceiling, the floor, the light (in this room), the town centre, the station (in this town), the bathroom (in this house).

  • Can you turn off the light, please?
  • "Where's Tom?" "He's in the bathroom."
  • How do I get to the station?
  • Take the next turning on the left.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in the. It is clear which one.

  1. Can you turn off radio, please?

  2. "Where's Mum?" "She's in kitchen."

  3. Excuse me, how do I get to station?

Put it together · Exercise 69.1 · part 1 of 3

Put in a, an or the.

  1. Example

    We enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice.

    AnswerWe enjoyed our holiday. The hotel was very nice.

  2. "Could I borrow pen?" "Sure. There's one on the desk."

  3. You look shattered. You need holiday.

  4. "Where's Tom?" "He's in bathroom."

  5. Raj is amazing cook. You must try his curry.

Put it together · Exercise 69.1 · part 2 of 3

Put in a, an or the.

  1. A: Excuse me, how do I get to town centre? B: Go straight on and take next turning left.

  2. A: Shall we go out for meal tonight? B: Yes, that's good idea.

  3. It's lovely morning. Let's go for walk.

  4. Mo is nurse. He rents room near hospital where he works. room is tiny, but it's cheap.

Put it together · Exercise 69.1 · part 3 of 3

Put in a, an or the.

  1. Our neighbours have two pets, cat and rabbit. cat is ginger and rabbit is white.

Put it together · Exercise 69.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with a or the + one of these words: airport, cup, door, floor, picture, radio.

Use these

airportcupdoorfloorpictureradio

  1. Example

    There's somebody at the door. Can you answer it?

    AnswerThere's somebody at the door. Can you answer it?

  2. I'm thirsty. I'd like of tea.

  3. There were no chairs, so we sat on .

  4. Can you turn down? It's too loud.

  5. Our flight is at nine, so we need to be at by seven.

Put it together · Exercise 69.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with a or the + one of these words: airport, cup, door, floor, picture, radio.

Use these

airportcupdoorfloorpictureradio

  1. The walls are bare. I think we need above the fireplace.

Put it together · Exercise 69.3 · part 1 of 2

Rewrite each sentence, putting in a, an or the where necessary.

  1. Example

    Please switch off television before you go to bed.

    Please switch off the television before you go to bed.

    AnswerPlease switch off the television before you go to bed.

  2. Have a lovely trip and remember to take umbrella.

  3. What is name of this village?

  4. Canada is very big country.

  5. What is largest city in Canada?

Put it together · Exercise 69.3 · part 2 of 2

Rewrite each sentence, putting in a, an or the where necessary.

  1. The flat is nice, but I hate pattern on wallpaper.

  2. "Are you OK?" "No, I've got headache."

  3. They rent small cottage near beach.

  4. Who is singer in band that played at wedding?

Lesson 69 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: the ...Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. a/an: one of many; the: this one–Not checkedB. First time, then the–Not checkedC. the: it is clear which–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked