Fill in the blank with the appropriate Article.
This is ________ great idea!
Choose from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → a
Complete sentence: This is a great idea! "Idea" alone would take "an", but here it is "a great idea".
| Option | When to use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) a (answer) | The indefinite article "a" is used before a singular countable noun mentioned in a general way, when the next word begins with a consonant sound. The article goes with the whole noun phrase, so the sound of the adjective counts: "great" begins with the consonant sound /g/. | She has a lovely voice. |
| (2) an | "An" is used before a vowel sound. It would fit "an idea", but "great" begins with a consonant sound. | He ate an apple. |
| (3) the | "The" points to a particular idea already known. The speaker is praising an idea as one great idea among many. | The idea you gave yesterday worked well. |
| (4) No Article | "Idea" is a singular countable noun and cannot stand without an article here. | – |
Contrast: the article depends on the sound of the word right after it — an idea, but a great idea.