Learn English Grammar

Article Practice 

Fill in the missing words. Use: 0 (zero or nothing), a, an, the, some, for, to.

1. My younger brother is ______ musician.

2. He wants ______ attend ______ university with ______ great music department.

3. He plays ______ piano. He practices _______ 2 hours ______ day.

4. He believes ______ piano is ______ greatest instrument.

5. He has applied ______ ______ University of Virginia and ______ Boston University.

6. He also wants ______ study languages.

7. He knows ______ Italian and Spanish.

8. He thinks ______ German language is very difficult.

Answers: 1) a, 2) to, a, a, 3) the, for, a, 4) the, the, 5) to, the, 0, 6) to, 7) some, 8) the  

 Rules:

 1. “a” musician: count noun, first reference

2. wants “to” attend: infinitive verb or “to” between verbs; “a” university, “a” great music department: unknown or not specific university and department

3. “the” piano: use “the” with classes of instruments: the piano, the trumpet, etc.

4. “for” 2 hours: use “for” for periods of time with an activity, “a” day: a = per

5.  applied “to”: “apply to” is a verb/preposition combination. Say “apply to” a school” and “apply for” a degree.

 “the” university of Washington: always use “the” with “university of _______” and do not use “the” without “university of.” Example: His B.A. is from the University of South Carolina and his M.B.A. is from Harvard University.

6. wants “to” study: same as #2

7. “some” Italian: noncount noun with quantity. Example: He wants some milk.

8. “the” German language: use “the” when the name of a language is followed by “language.” Examples: English is a difficult language. The English language is difficult.

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