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.

2nd grade articles (a, an, the)

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.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Circle the letter of the article that fits the sentence.

Ana got top. a · an
Answer: a
Mom cut onion. an · a
Tom found acorn. an · a

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 2nd grade sheet

2nd grade sheets draw from 120 sentences, 8 to a page. All 60 of 1st grade's sentences are here too, plus 60 more. 1st grade sheets print 10 to a page.

A few of the sentences:

The zookeeper fed a zebra some hay.
The chef cracked an egg into the sizzling pan.
What an enormous pumpkin grew in the garden!

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 2nd grade 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

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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

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