A, an and the cause endless trouble. Many languages have no words like these at all, so learners drop them: "I have dog", "Close door", "Sun is hot". Other languages have articles but use them differently, so learners add the where English leaves it out: "The life is hard". In this episode: • A or an: listen, don't look • A and an: one of many • The: we both know which one • A or the? one quick test • A scene in the garage • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: a cup, a banana, a dog — consonant sounds an apple, an egg, an orange, an idea — vowel sounds an email — the e sounds like "ee" an hour (un-OUR) — the h is silent an honest mistake — the h is silent a house, a hat — the h is pronounced a university (YOO-nuh-VER-suh-dee) — it starts with a "y" sound a uniform, a used car — the "you" sound again an umbrella, an uncle — the "uh" sound a one-dollar bill — one starts with a "w" sound Can I have a cookie? — any cookie I need a pen. — any pen will do We got a new couch. — the first time you mention it She's a nurse. — jobs take a or an What a mess! — in exclamations (casual) twice a week — a here means "each" three dollars a pound — the price for each pound I have a question. — the normal way; "one question" stresses the number Close the door. — the door of this room Turn off the light. — the light we both see Where's the remote? — our remote I'm in the kitchen. — the kitchen in our house the sun, the moon, the sky — only one the cookies on the counter — those specific cookies the neighbor across the street — that specific neighbor Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.