English grammar
A, an, the
Name things around the house.
From the scene What is this?
In short
Use the when we know which one. Use a for one new thing, and an before a vowel sound.
- we know which one the kitchen
- one thing, first time a window
- before a vowel sound an old sofa
- nothing there no bed
Your turn
Which one goes with one thing, first time?
Options: a window · the kitchen · an old sofa
Show answer
one thing, first time → a window
How it works
A, an and the are called articles, and they never change for masculine or feminine.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Where is (blank) bed?
Clue: she means one specific bed: her own
Options: the · a · an
Show answer
Where is the bed?
¿Dónde está la cama?
Good to know
Use the when we both know which one (the kitchen of this flat). Use a for one thing you mention for the first time (there's a window).
Good to know
Use an before a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u): an old sofa.
we know which one the kitchen
Ramón
This is the kitchen.
Esto es la cocina.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
This is (blank).
Options: the kitchen · a window · an old sofa
Show answer
Ramón
This is the kitchen.
Esto es la cocina.
one thing, first time a window
Ramón
There is a window. Very pretty.
Hay una ventana. Muy bonita.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
There is (blank). Very pretty.
Options: the kitchen · an old sofa · a window
Show answer
Ramón
There is a window. Very pretty.
Hay una ventana. Muy bonita.
before a vowel sound an old sofa
Ramón
And there's an old sofa.
Y hay un sofá viejo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And there's (blank).
Options: a window · an old sofa · the kitchen
Show answer
Ramón
And there's an old sofa.
Y hay un sofá viejo.
nothing there no bed
Ramón
The bed? Hmm... there is no bed.
¿La cama? Mmm... no hay cama.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
The bed? Hmm... there is (blank).
Options: the kitchen · a window · no bed
Show answer
Ramón
The bed? Hmm... there is no bed.
¿La cama? Mmm... no hay cama.
Common mistake
Not an here. There's only one in this flat.
This is the kitchen.
Esto es la cocina.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| we know which one | the kitchen |
|---|---|
| one thing, first time | a window |
| before a vowel sound | an old sofa |
| nothing there | no bed |
More lines from the story
- NuriaWhere is the bed?¿Dónde está la cama?
- NuriaWhat a pretty kitchen!¡Qué cocina tan bonita!