Articles are used to identify or specify nouns. “A” and “An” are used if you are not talking about a specific noun while. "The” is used if you are talking about a specific noun.
A. Specified Noun
A specified noun is a noun that is particularly referred to in a sentence. “The” can be used with specified singular and plural count nouns, and non-count nouns.
B. Unspecified Noun
Unspecified noun refers to any noun that means one of many. It also refers to nouns without detailed descriptions. “A” and “an”, are used only for singular unspecified
count nouns.
“A” is used for unspecified count nouns starting with a consonant letter: (b, c, d, f, g, etc.). Example: . a project, a report, a problem
“An” is used with nouns starting with vowel letters: a, e, i, o, u.
Example: an envelope, an agenda, an assignment .
Remember: A and an can’t be used with plural count nouns and non-count nouns. In this case,
“some” (many, a lot of, etc.) is used.
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Comments
I have same opinion like Smith.
It's not easy for learners to correctly use all of the articles (the, a, an), even though they can be called "small words".
Oi there
Nice blog, many ppl have trouble with the definite article [the] and indefinite article [a/an] but to my thinking, your blog needs some precising:
The indefinite article "a" can be used with nouns starting with a vowel when the vowel is a diftong - has double sounds, as in:
university [i'univesiti] -> a university
utensil [i'utensil] -> a utensil
youngster [i'a~gste:] -> a younster
We use "an" before a silent "h" followed by a vowel:
hour [aue:] -> an hour
Anyway, if somebody likes excavating in the labyrinth of English grammar, the usage of definite and indefinite articles can be quite an exiting and breathtaking escapade...LOL!!
Keith, you wrote 103 Grammar blog ? O.o
just kidding :p