Grammar game
A / AN or THE?
Use A or AN for something mentioned for the first time, or any one of many. Use THE when we both know which one, when it was mentioned before, or when there is only one.
Want to keep the words you learned? Sign in to save them to your deck, or install the Pinglingo browser extension.
How to play
- You are shown an English sentence with a blank (with its meaning in your language, if you chose one) — decide whether it needs a / an or the.
- Tap the option you think fits; the blank fills in and the sentence is read aloud in a British voice.
- A short rule explains why that answer is correct, so the difference sticks.
- Work through the round and aim for a flawless score, then play again to lock it in.
English sentences you'll practice
Every sentence in this free English game.
- I bought a new phone yesterday.
- Can you close the door, please?
- He is an engineer.
- In the morning the sun rises in the east.
- She has a dog and two cats.
- Pass me the salt, please.
- I need an umbrella; it is raining.
- We stayed in a hotel by the sea, and the hotel was lovely.
- What is the capital of France?
- My sister is a teacher.
- Could I have a glass of water?
- Last night the moon was very bright.
Questions
Is this English grammar game free?
Yes — it plays in your browser with no sign-up. Sign in only if you want to keep your best score.
What is the difference between a / an and the?
They are easy to mix up. Each question shows the rule after you answer, and the sentences are read aloud so you hear the pattern too.
How many sentences are there?
Twelve sentences, each with a short rule. A round uses eight of them, in a new order each time.
More free English games
Hear a British English sentence and type what you hear.
Put the scrambled sentences of a short story in order.
Hear a word and pick which of two near-identical words it was.
Read and hear a sentence, then tap the picture that goes with it.
Hear a sentence, no text, and drag its words into order.
A picture floats up: tap the bubble with its English word.
Hear a sentence twice, hold it in memory, then build it from word tiles.
Pick A or AN for each sentence and learn the sound rule.
Pick IN or ON: places, surfaces, months and days.
Pick AT or IN: points, buildings, cities and times.
Pick MUCH or MANY: can you count it?
Pick SOME or ANY: statements, questions and offers.
Pick IS or ARE: singular, plural and uncountable.
Pick the present simple or the present continuous.
Pick the past simple or the present perfect.
Pick the past simple or the past participle of common irregular verbs.
Pick FOR or SINCE with the present perfect: how long, or from when.
Pick FEWER or LESS: things you can count, or things you cannot.
Pick UP or DOWN to finish everyday phrasal verbs.
Whole model conversations for real situations, with audio.
Short sentences and little stories, with audio.
51 topics with pictures and British audio.
All English practice →