A, An, The Worksheet with Answers - ExamPlanning - Free Printable

Here’s the completed worksheet with explanations for each answer:

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1. _The_ horse runs fast.
✔ Explanation: We use "the" when referring to a specific or known horse (perhaps one previously mentioned or understood in context). Even if it's the first mention, “the horse” can imply a particular horse we’re talking about — perhaps the one we both know about, or the only one relevant. In general statements like this, “the” is often used for generic reference to a type of animal.

> *Note: “A horse runs fast” would also be grammatically correct if you mean any horse in general. But since this is a basic worksheet likely teaching specificity, “the” is the expected answer.*

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2. I saw _a_ boy running in _the_ street.
✔ Explanation:
- "a" → because it’s the first time mentioning the boy; he’s not specific yet (indefinite article).
- "the" → because “street” refers to a specific street (likely the one where the action happened — it’s known to the speaker and listener).

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3. He can pay upon _the_ flute very well.
✔ Explanation: This sentence is awkwardly phrased. The correct phrase should be “He can play the flute very well.” But assuming the worksheet says “pay upon,” we’ll treat it as a typo and assume it means “play.” So:
→ Use "the" because “flute” is a musical instrument — we always use “the” with instruments (e.g., “She plays the piano,” “He plays the guitar”).

> *If it really says “pay upon,” that’s incorrect English — but for the purpose of this exercise, we fill in “the.”*

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4. I saw _an_ old man in _the_ street.
✔ Explanation:
- "an" → because “old” starts with a vowel sound /oʊ/, so we use “an” before it.
- "the" → again, “street” is specific — the one where the man was seen.

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5. All _the_ boys were present.
✔ Explanation: We use "the" after “all” when referring to a specific group. “All the boys” = every boy in a particular group (e.g., in class, on the team, etc.). Without “the,” “All boys were present” would mean *every boy in the world*, which is unlikely.

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6. He is _Mr._ Phil.
✔ Explanation: Here, no article is needed. “Mr. Phil” is a title + name. We never use “a,” “an,” or “the” before titles followed by names (e.g., “She is Dr. Smith,” “They met President Biden”).
So the blank should be left empty — or filled with nothing.

> ❗️Important: Some might mistakenly write “a Mr. Phil,” but that’s incorrect. “Mr.” is already a title — no article needed.

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## ✔ Final Answers:

1. The
2. a, the
3. the
4. an, the
5. the
6. *(no article — leave blank or write “—”)*

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📌 Summary of Rules Used:

- “a/an” → indefinite articles; for non-specific things.
- Use “an” before words starting with vowel sounds (a, e, i, o, u — or silent h, like “hour”).
- “the” → definite article; for specific or previously mentioned things.
- No article → with titles + names (Mr., Mrs., Dr., President, etc.).

Let me know if you’d like printable versions or more practice! 😊