Choose the right article 5
✓ Useful for TOEIC
✓ Useful for Cambridge BEC
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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. Do you know how to program in __________________________ Java? (meaning: a programming language)
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with programming language names.
2. We're looking to hire someone who speaks __________________________ Russian.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with language names.
3. I don't think he's __________________________ good fit (meaning: well-matched) for our company.
Correct answer: a — A good fit is the fixed expression.
4. Direct selling accounts for about __________________________ 50% of our annual sales.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article before percentages.
5. The company published an important safety report on Tuesday. ____________________ report recommends several changes.
Correct answer: The — The report has already been introduced, so use the.
6. The speaker addressed ____________________ discrimination in general.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article with abstract uncountable nouns used generally.
7. The speaker addressed ____________________ last week's complaints from customers.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — The possessive expression last week's already functions as a determiner, so no article is used.
8. The speaker addressed ____________________ complaints that had been mentioned earlier.
Correct answer: the — Use the because these are the specific complaints mentioned earlier.
9. She has ____________________ MBA from a leading university.
Correct answer: an — An before vowel sound; MBA starts with the vowel sound /ɛm/.
10. He signed up for _________________________ MBA program that I told you about last week.
Correct answer: the — The — specific program previously mentioned.
💡 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.'
▶ Keep practicing — more exercises for you:
Articles in business English 1
Articles in business English 2
Articles in business English 3
Articles in business English 4
Articles in business English 6
Articles in business English 7
Business English basics 1
Business English basics 2
Articles in business English 2
Articles in business English 3
Articles in business English 4
Articles in business English 6
Articles in business English 7
Business English basics 1
Business English basics 2
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