2nd grade articles (a, an, the) worksheets
A, an, and the are articles, the small words that come before nouns. Second graders practice the a/an choice: a before consonant sounds (a dog), an before vowel sounds (an egg). Saying the phrase out loud usually reveals the answer.
Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h.
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The kind of sentences you'll get
Circle the letter of the article that fits the sentence.
-
We stayed in cabin near the lake.
a · an
Answer: a
- Once upon time, a dragon painted rainbows. a · the · an
- Under the log, Wei spotted earthworm. a · an
Every print pulls a fresh set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.
What's on each sheet
- Choose the word. Circle the letter of the article that fits the sentence. 8 questions per page.
Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.
How to teach this
This is an ear skill before it's a rule. Have your student read the sentence aloud both ways; "a apple" trips the tongue, and that stumble is the lesson. Once they trust their ear, name the rule: a before consonant sounds, an before vowel sounds. Keep the sound-versus-letter surprises out of it for now.
Watch for: It's the sound that decides, not the letter. We say an hour because hour starts with a vowel sound (like our), and a unicorn because unicorn starts with a y-sound. The works for anything specific, but a and an only go with one of something you could count.
Common questions about articles (a, an, the)
- When do you use a and when do you use an?
- Listen to the next word. If it starts with a consonant sound, use a (a bike, a sandwich). If it starts with a vowel sound, use an (an ant, an igloo). Reading the phrase out loud is the most reliable check at this age; the wrong one simply sounds bumpy.
- Why does English even have a and an?
- Comfort. Two vowel sounds in a row (a apple) are awkward to say, so English keeps the n before vowel sounds to smooth the ride. Kids like knowing the rule exists for their mouth, not for the teacher; it makes the choice feel sensible instead of arbitrary.
Related worksheets
- 1st grade articles (a, an, the) A step easier, same skill
- 3rd grade articles (a, an, the) A step harder, same skill
- 2nd grade action verbs Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade adverbs of how, when, and where Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade collective nouns Same grade, nearby skill
- Articles (a, an, the), all grades The full progression
- All 2nd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 2nd grade worksheets Everything at this level
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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 137, updated August 2026.
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