Articles (A, An, The) – English Grammar Exercises for A1
Making polite requests in the office (borrowing random items vs. asking for specific documents).
Choose the correct article to fill in the blank.
1 Excuse me, I need to write this down quickly. Do you have ___ pen?
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
2 I have a question about my work schedule. Where is ___ manager today?
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
3 I want to mail this letter to our client. Can I have ___ envelope, please?
(a) a
(b) the
(c) an
4 Good morning, sir. Did you read ___ report I sent you yesterday?
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
5 I want to sit next to you during the presentation. Is there ___ extra chair in here?
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
6 We need to talk in private. Let’s go to ___ meeting room at the end of the hall.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
7 My papers are very messy. Can I borrow ___ stapler for a second?
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
8 I am so hungry right now. I think I will get ___ apple from the office cafeteria.
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
9 Please sign ___ document on your desk. It is very important for the project.
(a) a
(b) the
(c) an
10 My old laptop is broken. I really need to buy ___ new computer.
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
11 I can’t print my work! ___ printer in our office is broken again.
(a) A
(b) An
(c) The
12 We need to fix this problem fast. Does anyone have ___ idea?
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
13 I just sent you a message. Please reply to ___ email as soon as possible.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
14 I need to draw a quick map for you. Do you have ___ blank piece of paper?
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
15 The clients are waiting in the lobby right now. Did you print ___ contract for them?
(a) an
(b) a
(c) the
16 I cannot find my notes anywhere. I really need ___ empty notebook to write in.
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
17 Please look at the folder I gave you. Open ___ blue file, not the red one.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
18 It takes exactly ___ hour to finish this financial report. Can you wait for me?
(a) an
(b) a
(c) the
19 If you want to take a week off, you must ask ___ CEO of the company.
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
20 It is raining heavily outside. Could I possibly borrow ___ umbrella to walk to my car?
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b) a
Explanation: You just need any pen to write with; you don’t care which one. Option (a) “the” is a common mistake because it implies you want a specific pen. Option (c) “an” is a basic error because “pen” starts with a consonant sound.
2 (a) the
Explanation: In an office, there is usually only one manager or a specific manager you report to. Both you and the listener know who this person is. Option (b) “a” is a common mistake. Option (c) “an” is a basic error.
3 (c) an
Explanation: You just need any envelope. Because “envelope” starts with a vowel sound (/e/), we use “an”. Option (b) “the” is a common mistake. Option (a) “a” is a basic grammar error.
4 (c) the
Explanation: The phrase “I sent you yesterday” makes this report specific. Both you and the boss know exactly which report it is. Option (a) “a” is a common mistake if the student forgets the context makes it specific. Option (b) “an” is a basic error.
5 (a) an
Explanation: You are asking for any extra chair. “Extra” starts with a vowel sound. Option (b) “the” is a common mistake. Option (c) “a” is a basic error.
6 (a) the
Explanation: The phrase “at the end of the hall” specifies exactly which meeting room you mean. Option (b) “a” is a common mistake. Option (c) “an” is a basic error.
7 (c) a
Explanation: You just need to borrow any stapler. Option (b) “the” is a common mistake because you are not asking for a specific stapler that both of you were previously talking about. Option (a) “an” is a basic error.
8 (b) an
Explanation: You want any apple from the cafeteria. “Apple” starts with a vowel sound. Option (c) “the” is a common mistake. Option (a) “a” is a basic error.
9 (b) the
Explanation: The phrase “on your desk” makes the document specific. The listener knows exactly which document to look at. Option (a) “a” is a common mistake. Option (c) “an” is a basic error.
10 (a) a
Explanation: You want to buy a new computer, but you haven’t chosen a specific one yet. You just want any new computer. Option (c) “the” is a common mistake. Option (b) “an” is a basic error.
11 (c) The
Explanation: “In our office” indicates there is a specific shared printer that everyone uses. Option (a) “A” is a common mistake. Option (b) “An” is a basic error.
12 (c) an
Explanation: You are asking for any idea. “Idea” starts with a vowel sound. Option (a) “the” is a common mistake. Option (b) “a” is a basic error.
13 (b) the
Explanation: You are referring to a specific email: the one you just sent. Option (a) “an” is a common mistake for students who only see the vowel ‘e’ and ignore the context. Option (c) “a” is a basic error.
14 (a) a
Explanation: You just need any blank piece of paper. Option (c) “the” is a common mistake. Option (b) “an” is a basic error.
15 (c) the
Explanation: Since the clients are waiting, both people know exactly which specific contract needs to be printed. Option (b) “a” is a common mistake because it sounds like you are just printing any random contract. Option (a) “an” is a basic error.
16 (b) an
Explanation: You need any empty notebook. “Empty” starts with a vowel sound. Option (c) “the” is a common mistake. Option (a) “a” is a basic error.
17 (a) the
Explanation: You are giving a specific instruction about a specific file (the blue one, not the red one). Option (b) “a” is a common mistake. Option (c) “an” is a basic error.
18 (a) an
Explanation: You mean any one hour (a duration). “Hour” has a silent ‘H’ and starts with a vowel sound. Option (c) “the” is a common mistake. Option (b) “a” is a basic error.
19 (c) the
Explanation: A company only has one CEO, so it is a specific, unique person in this context. Option (a) “a” is a common mistake. Option (b) “an” is a basic error.
20 (c) an
Explanation: You just want to borrow any umbrella to stay dry; it doesn’t matter which one. Option (a) “the” is a common mistake. Option (b) “a” is a basic error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 “A / An” (Non-specific / Any): Use “a” or “an” when you don’t care exactly which item you get. You just need one of them.
- Example: “Can I borrow a pen?” (Any pen is fine: black, blue, red).
2 “The” (Specific): Use “the” when you are talking about a specific item. You use “the” when both you (the speaker) and your colleague (the listener) know exactly which item you are talking about.
- Example: “Did you read the report?” (We both know we are talking about the important financial report from yesterday).
3 Specific Details: Often, extra information in the sentence makes a noun specific.
- Example: “…the meeting room at the end of the hall.”
4 Unique Roles: Use “the” for titles where there is only one person in that position in your environment (e.g., the boss, the manager, the CEO).