ARTICLES: Choose the right article 4
✓ Useful for TOEIC
✓ Useful for Cambridge BEC
💡 Top tips
Use 'the' for specific nouns, 'a/an' for general ones
Use 'the' when both speaker and listener know which specific item is meant: 'Please review the contract.' Use 'a/an' when introducing something for the first time or in general: 'She signed a contract last week.'
No article with most plural and uncountable nouns used generally
Omit the article with generalized plurals and uncountable nouns: 'Businesses need capital.' NOT 'The businesses need the capital.' This is especially common in business writing.
Titles and unique roles: 'the' vs no article
Use 'the' before roles when only one exists: 'the CEO,' 'the president.' But omit the article in apposition: 'He was appointed CEO' or 'She was elected president last year.'
Use 'the' for specific nouns, 'a/an' for general ones
Use 'the' when both speaker and listener know which specific item is meant: 'Please review the contract.' Use 'a/an' when introducing something for the first time or in general: 'She signed a contract last week.'
No article with most plural and uncountable nouns used generally
Omit the article with generalized plurals and uncountable nouns: 'Businesses need capital.' NOT 'The businesses need the capital.' This is especially common in business writing.
Titles and unique roles: 'the' vs no article
Use 'the' before roles when only one exists: 'the CEO,' 'the president.' But omit the article in apposition: 'He was appointed CEO' or 'She was elected president last year.'
READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!
These exercises will help you to practice using English articles in a Business English context. Choose the best response to complete each of the sentences below.
1. Our company wouldn't be able to compete in __________________________ American market. (The United States as a whole)
Correct answer: the — The with market (defined context: global competition).
2. P1: How far along are you with the new project? P2: We're still in __________________________ product development stage.
Correct answer: the — The refers to a specific project both speakers know.
3. Robert works in __________________________ sales.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with department/function names: works in sales.
4. We would like to set up a branch in __________________________ United States.
Correct answer: the — The is used with country names containing a common noun.
5. Generally speaking, __________________________ customers don't like to be told what to do.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with general plural nouns (customers = people in general).
6. Your job will be to find as many __________________________ prospective clients as possible.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with general plural nouns.
7. Q: What kind of __________________________ work are you looking for? A: I'm looking for __________________________ work in a bank or some other financial institution.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article when what kind of asks about type/category generally.
8. If you would like to be able to write __________________________ checks, I suggest you open a checking account.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with general plural nouns (checks in general).
9. __________________________ restaurant industry in the United Kingdom employs 4 million people.
Correct answer: The — The — a specific industry discussed in context.
10. Give me _________________________ second - I'll be right with you!
Correct answer: a — A — non-specific brief period of time.
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