When Not Using Articles Quiz

1. We do not use a or an before plural nouns when we speak in general.

True

False

A and an mean one, so they are not used before plural nouns like dogs or cars.

Explanation

A and an mean one, so they are not used before plural nouns like dogs or cars.

2. We usually use a or an before uncountable nouns like rice, sugar, or air.

True

False

Uncountable nouns in general do not take a or an because they do not have a clear “one” unit.

Explanation

Uncountable nouns in general do not take a or an because they do not have a clear “one” unit.

3. Complete with a plural noun that does not take a or an: ___ are helpful in a house. (Talking about cats in general)

Cats is plural and general, so it correctly appears without a or an.

Explanation

Cats is plural and general, so it correctly appears without a or an.

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4. Complete: ___ gives us energy. (talking about food in general)

Food is uncountable in general use here, so we do not add a or an.

Explanation

Food is uncountable in general use here, so we do not add a or an.

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5. Complete: I drink ___ every morning. (talking about coffee in general)

Coffee is uncountable in general use, so it appears without a or an.

Explanation

Coffee is uncountable in general use, so it appears without a or an.

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6. When do we not use a or an before a noun?

Before singular count nouns like a cat

Before plural or uncountable nouns used in general

Before every noun in a sentence

Before names of people like a Maria

We usually skip a and an with plural nouns and uncountable nouns when we talk about them in general.

Explanation

We usually skip a and an with plural nouns and uncountable nouns when we talk about them in general.

7. Which sentence is correct without a or an?

A dogs are friendly.

An dogs are friendly.

Dogs are friendly.

The a dogs are friendly.

Dogs is plural and general, so we do not use a or an before it.

Explanation

Dogs is plural and general, so we do not use a or an before it.

8. Which sentence correctly shows an uncountable noun without a or an?

I drink a water every day.

I drink water every day.

I drink an water every day.

I drink a waters every day.

Water is uncountable in this sentence, so no indefinite article is needed.

Explanation

Water is uncountable in this sentence, so no indefinite article is needed.

9. In which sentences is a or an used incorrectly and should be removed? “Select all that apply.”

A dogs are loud.

I like a music.

Students read books.

People need an happiness.

Birds have wings.

In A, B, and D the nouns are plural or uncountable in general, so a or an should not be used.

Explanation

In A, B, and D the nouns are plural or uncountable in general, so a or an should not be used.

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10. Choose the correct sentence.

A books teach us many things.

An books teach us many things.

Books teach us many things.

The a books teach us many things.

Books is plural and general, so we do not use a or an before it.

Explanation

Books is plural and general, so we do not use a or an before it.

11. Which sentence correctly shows when we use a or an?

I have a idea about this project.

I have an idea about this project.

I have idea about this project.

I have ideas about this project.

Idea is a singular count noun, so it needs an because it starts with a vowel sound.

Explanation

Idea is a singular count noun, so it needs an because it starts with a vowel sound.

12. We normally do not use a or an before school subjects like English or history.

True

False

Subjects such as English and history are usually treated like uncountable names and take no article.

Explanation

Subjects such as English and history are usually treated like uncountable names and take no article.

13. In general statements, we say "I like pizza" not "I like a pizza" when we mean pizza in general.

True

False

When we talk about pizza in general, we use a only when we mean one pizza, not pizza in general.

Explanation

When we talk about pizza in general, we use a only when we mean one pizza, not pizza in general.

14. Which uncountable nouns are correctly used without a or an in these sentences? “Select all that apply.”

Sugar is sweet.

The sugar is sweet when I taste it now.

Music helps me relax.

A music helps me relax.

Air is important for life.

Sugar, music, and air are uncountable and used in general here with no indefinite article.

Explanation

Sugar, music, and air are uncountable and used in general here with no indefinite article.

Submit

15. Which sentences correctly use plural nouns without a or an? “Select all that apply.”

Birds can fly.

A birds can fly.

Computers make work easier.

An computers make work easier.

Kids love cartoons.

Birds, computers, and kids are plural nouns in general statements and take no a or an.

Explanation

Birds, computers, and kids are plural nouns in general statements and take no a or an.

Submit

16. Which sentence is correct?

A people are nice here.

People are nice here.

An people are nice here.

The a people are nice here.

People is a plural noun in general, so we do not use a or an before it.

Explanation

People is a plural noun in general, so we do not use a or an before it.

17. Which sentences correctly do not use a or an? “Select all that apply.”

Children need love.

A children need love.

Milk is good for you.

A milk is good for you.

Cars use petrol.

A, C, and E use plural or uncountable nouns in a general way without a or an.

Explanation

A, C, and E use plural or uncountable nouns in a general way without a or an.

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18. Complete: ___ can be very cold in winter. (talking about weather in general)

Weather is an uncountable noun used in general, so it takes no indefinite article.

Explanation

Weather is an uncountable noun used in general, so it takes no indefinite article.

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19. Which rule is correct about a and an?

We use a or an with all nouns.

We use a or an with plural nouns like cats.

We do not use a or an with plural or uncountable nouns used in general.

We never use a or an with singular nouns.

Plural and uncountable nouns in general usually take no indefinite article.

Explanation

Plural and uncountable nouns in general usually take no indefinite article.

20. We leave out a and an before nouns that are plural or ___ when we talk about them in general.

Uncountable nouns like water or music do not need a or an in general statements.

Explanation

Uncountable nouns like water or music do not need a or an in general statements.

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Omission Rules: When Not Using Articles Quiz

1. We do not use a or an before plural nouns when we speak in general.

2. We usually use a or an before uncountable nouns like rice, sugar, or air.

3. Complete with a plural noun that does not take a or an: ___ are helpful in a house. (Talking about cats in general)

4. Complete: ___ gives us energy. (talking about food in general)

5. Complete: I drink ___ every morning. (talking about coffee in general)

6. When do we not use a or an before a noun?

7. Which sentence is correct without a or an?

8. Which sentence correctly shows an uncountable noun without a or an?

9. In which sentences is a or an used incorrectly and should be removed? “Select all that apply.”

10. Choose the correct sentence.

11. Which sentence correctly shows when we use a or an?

12. We normally do not use a or an before school subjects like English or history.

13. In general statements, we say "I like pizza" not "I like a pizza" when we mean pizza in general.

14. Which uncountable nouns are correctly used without a or an in these sentences? “Select all that apply.”

15. Which sentences correctly use plural nouns without a or an? “Select all that apply.”

16. Which sentence is correct?

17. Which sentences correctly do not use a or an? “Select all that apply.”

18. Complete: ___ can be very cold in winter. (talking about weather in general)

19. Which rule is correct about a and an?

20. We leave out a and an before nouns that are plural or ___ when we talk about them in general.