📖

Articles: a, an, the

Both Task 1 and Task 2

Articles are among the most common sources of error for IELTS candidates. Mastering them significantly improves your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score.

Use 'a' or 'an' when introducing something for the first time, or when referring to one of many. 'An' is used before vowel sounds.

Rules

Use 'a/an' when mentioning something for the first time or as one of many— Second mention → use 'the'
Use 'an' before vowel sounds: an increase, an urban area, an hour, an MBA
Use 'a' before consonant sounds: a significant rise, a useful tool, a unique problem
Use 'a/an' with singular countable nouns when making generalisations

Examples

✓

The graph shows a sharp increase in 2010.

First mention of the increase

✓

This is an effective solution to the problem.

'an' before vowel sound

✕A informations was provided.

✓

Information was provided.

'information' is uncountable — no article needed for general use

Common grammar mistakes — avoid these in your IELTS essays

✕Do NOT use 'the' before uncountable nouns in general statements (e.g. NOT 'the pollution is harmful' — say 'pollution is harmful')

✕Do NOT use 'a/an' with uncountable nouns (e.g. NOT 'a traffic' or 'an information')

✕Do NOT omit 'the' when referring to something already mentioned or uniquely identified

✕Do NOT use 'the' before most proper nouns (countries, cities, people's names)

✕Do NOT use 'a' before plural nouns

✕Do NOT use articles before abstract concepts used generally (e.g. NOT 'the freedom is important' — 'freedom is important')