Lesson 6 of 6
Articles and Prepositions
Use a, an, the, in, on and at correctly in everyday sentences.
Urdu and Hindi don't have articles, so learners often drop them ("I went to market") or overuse them ("The life is beautiful"). Prepositions are also translated directly, which leads to errors like "on Monday morning at the night". This lesson gives practical rules that cover most situations.
LearnThe key ideas
A / an / the: the practical rules
| Use | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a / an | First mention, or one of many | I saw a great movie. |
| the | Both people know which one | The movie was about space. |
| the | Only one exists | the sun, the internet, the president |
| no article | General ideas, plural or uncountable | Life is short. I love dogs. Coffee keeps me awake. |
In, on, at for time and place
| Time | Place | |
|---|---|---|
| at | at 5 pm, at night, at noon | at home, at work, at the door |
| on | on Monday, on July 4th, on the weekend (US) | on the table, on the bus, on the 3rd floor |
| in | in July, in 2025, in the morning | in Karachi, in the car, in the kitchen |
ListenListen and repeat
- I'm going to the store.Americans say "the store" for a familiar place.
- She's an engineer.Jobs take a / an.
- See you on the weekend.American English uses "on" the weekend.
- I'll be home at night.No "the": at night.
AvoidCommon mistakes
He is engineer.✓ He is an engineer.Jobs need a / an.
The life is beautiful.✓ Life is beautiful.General ideas take no article.
I'll meet you on 5 pm.✓ I'll meet you at 5 pm.Clock times use "at".
SpeakShadowing practice
Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.
- I'm a teacher at a school in Lahore.
- Let's meet at the café on Main Street at 6.
- I usually work from home on Fridays.
Record the sentences above and compare with the audio.
CheckQuick quiz
1. "She is ___ doctor."
2. "I was born ___ 1998."
3. Which is correct?
PracticeToday's speaking task
Describe where you live and your weekly schedule in 6 sentences. Check every a / an / the and in / on / at.