Articles in English Grammar for all competetive exam

• 12 Mar, 2026
• Hans Education
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Articles in English Grammar for all competetive exam

What are Articles?

Articles are small words used before nouns to show whether the noun is specific or general.

Articles are divided into two types: (i)Indefinite Articles → A, An (i) Definite Article → TheExamples

He is a teacher.

A boy is playing.

She bought a car.

Indefinite Articles (A / An) Use of A

Use A before consonant sound words.

Structure:
A + singular noun

Use of An

Use An before vowel sound words.

Vowels: A, E, I, O, U

Examples

• An apple
• An elephant
• An umbrella
• He is an engineer.

Important: It depends on sound, not spelling.

Example:

1. An honest man (h silent)
2. A university (yu sound)

Definite Article (THE)

Use of THE

The is used when the noun is specific or already known.

Examples

1. The sun rises in the east.
2. The book on the table is mine.
3. I saw the teacher yesterday.

(i) Unique things

1. The sun
2. The moon
3. The earth

(ii) Rivers, seas, oceans

1. The Ganga
2. The Pacific Ocean
3. The Arabian Sea

(iii) Mountain ranges

1. The Himalayas

(iv) Newspapers & famous buildings

1. The Times of India
2. The Taj Mahal

(v) Superlative degree

He is the best student.

When Articles Are Not Used

Do not use articles with:

Proper nouns

• Ram is a good boy.
  (Not The Ram)

Languages

• She speaks English.

Subjects

• Mathematics is difficult.

Plural general nouns

• Dogs are loyal animals.

Competitive Exam MCQ Example

1. He is ___ honest man.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) an

2. ___ sun rises in the east.

A) A
B) An
C) The
D) No article Correct Answer: C) The

3. He is ___ honest man.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) an

4.She bought ___ umbrella yesterday.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) an

5. I saw _ elephant in the zoo.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) an

6.She is ___ teacher in our school.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: A) a

7. He bought ___ car last year.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: A) a

8. ___ Ganga is a holy river.
A) A
B) An
C) The
D) No article Correct Answer: C) The

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9. She ate ___ apple.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) An

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10. He is ___ MLA.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) An

---

11. This is ___ best book in the library.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: C) The

---

Advanced Level (SSC / OSSSC)

12. She is ___ European girl.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: A) A

(European starts with “yu” sound)

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13. He waited for ___ hour.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) An

(h is silent)

---

14. ___ Himalayas are very high.
A) A
B) An
C) The
D) No article Correct Answer: C) The

---

15. My father reads ___ newspaper daily.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) a / the Correct Answer: C) The

---

16. She plays ___ violin.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: C) The

---

Exam Pattern Questions

17. He is ___ engineer.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: B) An

---

18. ___ Taj Mahal is in India.
A) A
B) An
C) The
D) No article Correct Answer: C) The

---

19. I need ___ pen.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: A) A

---

20. She is ___ best student in the class.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: C) The

---

21. He drank ___ glass of milk.
A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article Correct Answer: a) a

Importance of Articles in English Grammar

Articles (A, An, The) are an important part of English grammar. They are used before nouns to show whether the noun is general or specific. The articles “A” and “An” are called indefinite articles and they refer to any person or thing in general, while “The” is called the definite article and it refers to a particular person or thing. Correct use of articles helps in forming clear and grammatically correct sentences. It also improves speaking and writing skills in English. Questions based on articles are commonly asked in many competitive examinations such as SSC, Banking, Railway, and state government exams. Therefore, learning the correct use of articles is very important for students and exam aspirants.