Choose the right article 9
✓ 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. This in not __________________________ kind of product that a consumer will use only once.
Correct answer: the — The — a specific kind already identified by context.
2. If you can think of __________________________ better way to do this, please let me know.
Correct answer: a — A — any better way, not a specific one.
3. I know there are __________________________ more effective ways to get this done.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article — general plural (more effective ways in general).
4. Recent market trends show that there is __________________________ significant increase in the use of our products among couples with two or more children.
Correct answer: a — A — introducing a non-specific singular noun.
5. I know there's an increase, but I don't understand the reasons behind __________________________ increase.
Correct answer: the — The — a specific increase mentioned in context.
6. We have __________________________ team of lawyers working for us.
Correct answer: a — A — introducing a non-specific team.
7. We'll get in __________________________ touch with you soon.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — Fixed expression: get in touch — no article.
8. We don't see __________________________ eye to __________________________ eye on a lot of issues.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — Fixed expression: see eye to eye — no article.
9. I'd like to make __________________________ suggestion. Why don't we try to find a new distributor?
Correct answer: a — A — introducing a non-specific suggestion.
10. Q: When is the meeting going to be held? A: On __________________________ Monday.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — No article before days of the week.
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