Indefinite Articles (a, an):
Use “a” before words that begin with a consonant sound.
Example: a cat, a dog, a book.
Use “an” before words that begin with a vowel sound.
Example: an apple, an elephant, an hour.
Note: The choice between “a” and “an” depends on the sound at the beginning of the following word, not the first letter.
Example: an honest person (because “honest” starts with a vowel sound).
Definite Article (the):
Use “the” when referring to a specific noun that is known to both the speaker and the listener, or when the noun has been previously mentioned.
Example: The cat is on the table. (referring to a specific cat)
Example: I saw a cat. The cat was black. (referring to the same cat mentioned earlier)
Use “the” with superlatives (e.g., the best, the tallest) and ordinal numbers (e.g., the first, the second).
Example: He is the best player on the team.
Use “the” before nouns that refer to unique objects or concepts.
Example: The sun, the moon, the Internet.
Use “the” before nouns that are specific because of a particular context.
Example: The book on the table is mine.
Use “the” before certain nouns that refer to classes of people or objects.
Example: The rich, the poor, the elderly.
Do not use “the” before uncountable nouns when talking about them in a general sense.
Example: Water is essential for life. (not “the water”)
Zero Article:
Use no article with plural and uncountable nouns when referring to them in a general sense.
Example: Dogs are loyal animals. (not “the dogs”)
Example: I need milk. (not “the milk”)
Use no article before professions or languages.
Example: She is a doctor. (not “the doctor”)
Example: He speaks Spanish. (not “the Spanish”)
Use no article with names of meals, days, months, and seasons.
Example: We have dinner at 7 o’clock. (not “the dinner”)
Example: I’ll see you on Monday. (not “the Monday”)
Articles in English
