---
title: "Determiners and articles"
description: "Use determiners (articles a/an/the and demonstratives this/that/these/those) correctly before nouns"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/determiners-and-articles-mt_RioBUxHz1X
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/determiners-and-articles-mt_RioBUxHz1X.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Determiners and articles

Use determiners (articles a/an/the and demonstratives this/that/these/those) correctly before nouns

Subject: English · Area: Grammar & Punctuation · Ages 6 to 7
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/determiners-and-articles-mt_RioBUxHz1X

## Ready when they can

- Use 'a' before consonant sounds and 'an' before vowel sounds correctly: 'a ball', 'an apple'
- Distinguish 'this/these' (near) from 'that/those' (far) when pointing to objects
- Select the correct article (a/an/the) to complete a sentence

## Lesson: Little words that point: a, an, the, this, that

Some little words go right before a noun to tell you which one, or how many. Words like a, an, the, this, that, these, and those all do this job. They are called determiners.

Use a or an before a single noun. Listen to the very first sound of the noun. If it starts with a consonant sound, use a: a ball, a dog. If it starts with a vowel sound, use an: an apple, an owl.

*(drawing: Say each word out loud. Dog and cat start with consonant sounds, so they get a. Owl and ant start with vowel sounds, so they get an.)*

**Example.** Zara is looking for her cat. She finds the cat under the bed. Everyone already knows which cat she means, so Zara says the cat, not a cat. Use the when you mean one exact thing.

**Tip.** This and these point to something near you. That and those point to something far away. This is for one thing close by, these is for many things close by.

**Recap.** Pick a or an by sound, use the for one exact thing everyone knows, and use this/these for near, that/those for far.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Basic Nouns & Verbs](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/basic-nouns-and-verbs-mt_yBJyCfhtem)

## Opens up

- [Choosing A or An](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-a-or-an-mt_2l06snztdP)