B1 GRAMMAR · ARTICLES · A2

A / an vs the

Use a / an when a noun is new or general, and the when both speaker and listener know exactly which one. Small words, big difference.

See the difference

A

a / an

one of many; first mention
I saw a dog in the park.
我在公园看到一只狗。
B

the

a specific one both people know
The dog was very friendly.
那只狗非常友好。

Practise it

Q1 She is ____ engineer.
Q2 Can you close ____ door, please?
Q3 I love ____ music.