Articles are words to define a noun as definite (specific) or indefinite (unspecific). There are three articles:
a,
an and
the.
Example 1:
Please give me
the pen.
Here it is in the context of asking for one specific pen.
Example 2:
Please give me
a pen.
Here it is in the context of asking for any pen which is unspecific.
an - used before non-specific singular count nouns beginning with vowel (a, e, i, o, u) sound.
a - used before non-specific singular count nouns beginning with consonant sound.
the - used before specific singular/plural/count/non-count nouns.
I will be there in a hour
I will be there in an hour
She went to an university
She went to a university
- Indefinite Article : a, an
- Definite Article : the
Usage
Used before singular nouns.
E.g. a pen, an apple.
Used before collectives.
E.g. a dozen, a liter of water.
Used before an Adjective.
E.g. a small bag, an intelligent girl.
Used to define a noun as unique.
E.g. the Sun, the Everest mountain.
Used to refer time period.
E.g. in the evening, in the 1990's
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