Today we will talk about the rules for using articles in English. There is no such concept in Russian grammar, so this topic is considered one of the most difficult. But in our article we will try to clarify everything. Using clear examples, we will show when the definite article the is used, and in which cases the indefinite article a/an or the zero article is used.

General rules for using articles in English

Why do we need an article in English at all? Its main function is to indicate the definiteness or uncertainty of a noun. Therefore, there are two articles in English - the indefinite article a/an (indefinite article) and the definite article the (definite article). There is also such a thing as a zero article.

The choice of one of the articles is inextricably linked with:

• Indefinite article a/an is used with singular countable nouns.
• Definite article the can be used with countable nouns (regardless of their number) and with uncountable nouns.
• Zero article used with uncountable nouns or with plural countable nouns.

I heard a story(singular countable noun). - I heard history.
It is good advice(uncountable noun). - This one good advice.
I liked the films(plural countable noun). - I liked movies.

Students often admit three typical mistakes when choosing an article:

1. Use the indefinite article a/an with plural countable nouns:

   I'd like to buy a books. - I would like to buy books.

2. Use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns:

   I love a modern furniture. - I love modern furniture.

3. Use singular countable nouns without articles:

   You should visit doctor a doctor. - You should go to doctor.
   Give this toy to dog the dog. - Give me this toy dog.

If a noun is used with an adjective, then the article is placed before the adjective.

It is a hot day. - Today hot day.
It is the hottest day of this week. - This hottest day for this week.

We do not use the articles a, an or the if the noun already has:

• (my - mine, his - his);
• (this - this, that - that);
• numeral (one - one, two - two).

This is my house. - This my house.
I have one sister. - I have one sister.

The main principle of choosing an article in English: we use the indefinite article a/an when we are not talking about a specific object, person or phenomenon, but about one of many. If we are talking about something or someone specific, we use the definite article the.

Articles are not translated into Russian, but if you try to translate according to their meaning, the indefinite article means “one”, the definite article means “this”, “that”.

I need a purse. - I need handbag. (just one handbag)
I need the purse I took yesterday. - I need handbag which I took yesterday. (that same, specific handbag)

Watch two video clips: the first is about any film, and the other is about a specific one:

To make it easier for you to remember the general rules for using articles in English, we suggest keeping our author’s diagram for yourself.

The indefinite article a/an in English

The choice of the indefinite article a or the indefinite article an depends on the sound with which the word following the article begins.

We put the article a, if the word begins with a consonant: a f ilm /ə fɪlm/ (film), a c ake /ə keɪk/ (pie), a p lace /ə pleɪs/ (place).

We put the article an, if the word begins with a vowel sound: an a rm /ən ɑːm/ (hand), an e gg /ən eɡ/ (egg), an i nteresting /ən ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/ book (interesting book).

note:

The words house (house) and hour (hour) begin with the letter h. IN the word house/haʊs/ the first sound is a consonant, which means we put the article a - a house in front of it, and in the word hour /ˈaʊə(r)/ the first sound is a vowel, which means we choose the article an - an hour.

The words university (university) and umbrella (umbrella) begin with the letter u. In the word university /juːnɪˈvɜː(r)səti/ the first sound is a consonant, which means we need the article a - a university, and in the word umbrella /ʌmˈbrelə/ the first sound is a vowel, which means we use the article an - an umbrella.

Besides general rules There are also special cases of using the indefinite article a/an:

1. When we classify someone or something, that is, we indicate which group, type, genus this someone or something belongs to.

   She's a nurse. - She works nurse.
   Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink. - “Coca-Cola” - non-alcoholic carbonated drink.

2. To indicate singularity when expressing measures of time, distance, weight, quantity, periodicity.

   Lemonade costs 2 dollars a liter. - Lemonade costs two dollars per ( one) liter.
   I drive at 50 kilometers an hour. - I drive at a speed of 50 kilometers in ( one) hour.
   I want a hundred roses. - Want one hundred (one hundred) roses

You will find more information on this topic in the article “The indefinite article in English".

The definite article the in English

IN general rules We have described the main cases of using the article the, now we will consider many special cases:

1. The definite article the is used with one-of-a-kind, exceptional objects: the sun (sun), the environment (environment), the internet (Internet).

   The adjective in: the tallest building (the tallest building), the best singer ( best singer), the most expensive car (the most expensive car).

   And thanks to the words only, same, first, objects also become unique: the same exam, the only person, the first time.

   Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space. - Yuri Gagarin was first person in space.

2. To describe or indicate a group of objects, a certain class as a whole, use the construction “the + singular countable noun.”

   The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world. - Cheetahs- the fastest animals in the world. (we are not talking about one cheetah, but about a species of animal)
   I play the piano. - I play on piano.
   I consider the telephone to be the most important invention. - I believe that telephone- this is the most important invention.

3. Also, when talking about a group of people, use the construction “the + adjective”. Please note that the verb in this case will be plural.

   For example: the young (youth), the poor (poor), the homeless (homeless).

   The young always argue with their parents. - The youth always argues with his parents.

   The same construction is used with adjectives that end in -ch, -sh, -ese, if all representatives of a nation are meant.

   For example: the French (French), the English (English), the Chinese (Chinese).

   The French are charming. - French people adorable.
   The Vietnamese are very hard-working. - Vietnamese very hardworking.

4. When referring to all family members as a group of people, use the definite article the and the plural surname: the Joneses.
5. The definite article the is often used with names:
   • buildings (hotels, cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries, restaurants, pubs) - the Plaza hotel, the Odeon, the Kremlin, the Red Lion pub a lion");
   • newspapers (the article is part of the name and is written with a capital letter) - The Times (Times newspaper), The Guardian (Guardian newspaper);
   • sporting events - the FIFA World Cup (World Cup);
   • historical periods and events - the Bronze Age (Bronze Age), the Vietnam War (Vietnam War);
   • famous ships and trains - the Mayflower (ship "Mayflower");
   • organizations, political parties, institutions - the Red Cross (Red Cross), the Democratic Party (Democratic Party);
   • with those names in which there is a preposition of - the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa), the University of Cambridge (Cambridge University)
6. The definite article the is also used with some geographical names:
   • with countries that contain the words states (states), kingdom (kingdom), federation (federation), republic (republic), emirates (emirates) in their names - the United States of America (United States of America), the United Kingdom (Great Britain) , the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic), the Russian Federation ( Russian Federation);
   • with the names of rivers, seas, canals, oceans, deserts, groups of islands, chains of mountains: the Amazon, the Maldives, the Black Sea, the Sahara, the Panama Canal ).
7. With the words theater (theatre), cinema (cinema), radio (radio), when we talk about pastime.

   I often go to the cinema with my friends. - I often go to movie with friends.

Zero article in English

In English there are nouns with which the article is not used; such an article is called zero.

The article is not used in the following cases:

1. With uncountable nouns that denote food, substances, liquids, gases and abstract concepts.

   I don't eat rice. - I do not eat rice.

2. With plural countable nouns, we talk about something in general.

   Wolves are predators. - Wolves- predators. (all wolves)

3. With names and surnames of people.

   James likes golf. - James loves golf.

4. With titles, ranks and forms of address, followed by the name - Queen Victoria (Queen Victoria), Mr Smith (Mr. Smith).
5. With the names of continents, countries, cities, streets, squares, bridges, parks, separately standing mountains, individual islands, lakes.

   He went to Australia. - He went to Australia.

6. With names of pubs, restaurants, shops, banks and hotels that have a last name or first name that ends in -s or -"s - McDonald's, Harrods.
7. With the names of sports, games, days of the week, months, meals, with the word TV (television).

   Let's meet on Thursday and watch TV. - Let's meet at Thursday and we'll see TV.
   I don't play football in February. - I don't play football V February.

8. With the words church (church), college (college), court (court), hospital (hospital), prison (prison), school (school), university (university), when we talk about them in general as public institutions. However, if we mean a building, we use the definite article the or the indefinite article a/an depending on the context.

   Noah is at school. - Noah in school. (He's a student)
   His mother is at the school on a parents’ meeting. - His mother is in school on parent meeting. (she came to a certain school building)

9. In some fixed expressions, for example:
   • go to bed / be in bed;
   • go to work / be at work / start work / finish work;
   • go home / come home / arrive home / get home / be at home;
   • go to sea / be at sea.

   My husband is a night-watchman, so he goes to work when I go home. - My husband is a night watchman, that's why he he's going to work, when I I am going home.
   Did you go to sea while I was in bed? - You went to the sea, while I was in bed?

10. When describing a method of transportation with the preposition by: by bus (by bus), by car (by car), by plane (by plane), by foot (on foot).

Finally, we suggest you take our test to consolidate new material.

Test for the use of articles in English

If you think that the meaning of speech will be clear without using articles in English, you are right. They will understand you, but for native speakers it will sound about the same as for us the speech of foreigners without genders and cases: “I want water,” “My car is fast.” If you want to speak English fluently and fluently, we recommend that you save this article.

Please note that we have given the basic rules for using articles in English. In addition to them, there are many more nuances, exceptions and special cases that students with a level and above study.

Articles in English: definite - the, indefinite - a (an), zero. The use of articles with geographical names.

Using articles in English is a difficult task for beginners in learning this one of the most widely spoken languages ​​in the world. There are three types of articles in English, and although there are clear rules governing their use, choosing the right article can sometimes be difficult.

• definite article the: Did you enjoy the party? - Did you like the party?
• two indefinite articles in English:

Article a- used if the following word begins with a consonant: I’m reading a book about England- I'm reading a book about England

Article an- if the word after it begins with a vowel: I read an interesting story - I read an interesting story

• “zero article” (zero article in English) is the absence of articles: Does she like meat or fish? - Does she like meat or fish?

Articles in English can appear directly before a noun:

She is an artist - she is an artist

In addition, articles in English can be separated from a noun using an adverb or adjective:

the newly renovated church - recently restored church

a beautiful young woman - beautiful young woman

Rules for using articles in English

The use of indefinite articles in English “a” and “an”:

1. Indefinite articles in English “a” or “an” are used with nouns only in the singular in the following cases:

1.1. If an object or person is mentioned for the first time, and also if an adjective precedes the noun as a descriptive definition:

Can I make a suggestion? - May I take a guess?

Suddenly there was a loud bang- suddenly there was a loud bang

1.2. With nouns in construction “ there is” (there was):

There was a noise outdoors - there was some noise on the street

1.3. With nouns combined with the adjective “such”:

Such a day, such a car etc.

1.4. In exclamatory sentences with the intensifying pronoun “what”, indefinite articles are used in English:

What a day! “What a nice journey!”

1.5. With nouns preceded by the word “half”:

half an hour, half a day etc.

1.6. Words that begin with the letter “u”, provided that it is pronounced as /ju: / (for example, “united”, “useful”), are always used with the article “a” (not “an”):

English is an universal language

English is a universal language

1.7. The words “one and ones” and all phrases beginning with these words (such as one-sided, once-over) are always used with the article “a”:

a one-parent family, a one-way trip etc.

1.8. If abbreviations begin with the letters: F, H, L, M, N, R, S or X, and the pronunciation of these letters begins with a vowel sound (for example, F is pronounced like /ef /), then in such cases the indefinite article is always used “an” (not “a”):

an MBA degree, an FBI agent etc.

1.9. As part of some stable combinations, the indefinite article is used in English:

a lot of, twice a day, as a result, it’s a pity.

1.10. With professions:

a pilot, an engineer.

Use of the definite article in English “the”

2. The definite article the in English is used with both the singular and the plural; with both countable and uncountable nouns in the following cases:

2.1. If we are talking about a specific person or thing in a specific situation: Can you walk the dog? Can you put the book on the table? Both interlocutors know which dog and which book they are talking about. In other words, the definite article the is the equivalent of “that particular one over there.” Imagine that you are returning from the store and say to your friend: “I bought the phone.” With these words you will mislead your friend, because in fact you said: “I bought that phone », and your friend has no idea what phone we are talking about. Therefore, when mentioning an object or person for the first time, it would be correct to say: I bought a phone yesterday.

2.2. If an object or phenomenon has a description:

“This is the phone that I was telling you about yesterday”.

2.3. If an object or person was mentioned in context earlier:

This is a house. The house is very old.

the best friend, the longest trip etc.

the first day, the second chance etc.

2.7. When used with the adjective “same”:

the same day, the same time etc.

2.8. With nouns denoting the names of lakes, waterfalls, straits, mountain ranges, groups of islands, cardinal points, rivers, seas, oceans (i.e. with geographical names):

the Thames, the Atlantic Ocean, the Alps, the Bermudas, the English Channel, the Gulf Stream, the Suez Canal, the Niagara Falls etc.

2.9. With the names of countries consisting of several words, including the following: federation, republic, union, state, kingdom. For example:

the German Federal Republic, the USA, the UK etc.

2.10. The names of deserts also use the definite article the in English:

the Sahara Desert

2.11. As an exception, the definite article the in English is used with the following geographical names: the Netherlands (translated into Russian - No Man's Land, to show that they still belong to someone, they use the definite article in English):

the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Vatican, the Congo, the Lebanon, the Hague and with some others

2.12. With nouns denoting the names of hotels, theaters, museums, ships:

the Hilton, the Covent Garden, the Titanic, the Bolshoy Theater etc.

2.13. With nouns denoting the names of English-language newspapers:

the Financial Times, the Daily Mail etc.

2.14. As part of stable combinations, the definite article the is used:

to play the piano/ the violin / the guitar / the cello etc., to tell the truth, to go to the cinema/ theater, to listen to the radio, the other way

2.15. With surnames, if the surname is plural and denotes the entire family:

the Smiths, the Browns etc.

The use of the zero article “zero article” (omission of articles in English)

3. Articles in English are omitted in the following cases:

3.1. Before proper names, as well as before nouns denoting ranks and titles:

Professor N., General B., Queen Y.

3.2. Before nouns denoting days of the week in English:

Monday, Sunday….

3.3. With nouns combined with prepositions in English “from….to, from…. till":

from beginning to end, from north to south, from nothing till everything, from head to foot etc.

3.4. With nouns followed by number or number:

page 45, room 8, tram 7

3.5. With nouns after the verbs “to appoint”, “to elect”:

to appoint director, to elect deputy.

3.6. Articles in English are not used with nouns denoting the following geographical concepts:

3.6.1. names of continents, as well as countries and cities, consisting of one proper name:

Europe, Asia, Australia, France, Italy, Spain etc.

3.6.2. names of individual islands (if these are not groups of islands), mountains (if this is not a mountain range), as well as names of lakes (if their name contains the word “Lake”):

Malta, Elbrus, Lake Ontario etc.

3.6.3. names of streets and squares:

Red Square, Trafalgar Square, Street, Regent Street etc.

3.7. In newspaper headlines and magazine articles:

Tasty farewell to winter, Color of Dream

3.8. In some stable combinations, articles are not used in English:

on foot, by heart, by car, at home etc.

3.9. When using such nouns in a general sense:

Time is money. Life isn't easy. Love and friendship…

When defining these nouns in a specific meaning, the definite article in English is used:

Don’t you know anything about the life of this people? Where is the money I’ve laid on the shelf?

At first glance, there are a lot of rules about articles in the English language and it’s impossible to remember them all. In fact, you don’t need to remember absolutely all the rules, since in the process of listening to English speech you will remember the correct choice of one or another article in English quite quickly.

An article is a service word that shows that the word behind it is a noun and describes some of its characteristics. Articles allow us to distinguish them from other parts of speech. They perform other tasks as well.

There are two articles in English: uncertain — a (an) And definite — the.

The indefinite article before words that begin with a consonant sound is used in the form a[ə], for example: a desk [ə’desk], a book [ə’bʊk]; before words that begin with a vowel sound - in the form an[ən], for example: an animal [ən’ænɪməl], an eye [ən’aɪ]. The name of the article itself (without a noun) always sounds [еɪ].

Definite article the before words that begin with a consonant sound, it is pronounced as [ðə], for example: the table [ðə’teɪbl], the pen [ðə’pen]; before words that begin with a vowel sound, like [ðɪ], for example: the apple [ðɪ’æpl], the arm [ðɪ’ɑːm]. The name of the article itself is always pronounced as [ðɪ].

When writing and pronouncing articles, it is important what sound the word begins with, not what letter. For example, if the initial letter u reads like [ʌ], then you need to put an(an uncle [ən’ʌŋkl]), but if so, then - a(a union [ə’ju:nɪon]).

Another example: if at the beginning of a word the letter h pronounced, then you need to put a(a hen [ə’hen] chicken), but if not pronounced, then - an(an hour [ən’auə] hour).

Indefinite article
• has two forms - A And an;
• denotes an incomprehensible/unfamiliar object.

Definite article
• has one form - the;
• denotes an understandable/familiar object.

Articles are never stressed and in speech merge with the word following them. When there is an adjective, the article is placed before it. Compare: an apple - a big green apple.

Use of the article

When using articles, it is important to consider what number (singular or plural) the noun is in and what its type is, namely: common or proper, countable or uncountable, abstract or concrete.

In many cases, the use (or absence) of the article is governed by grammatical rules, but in some cases it is traditional. Such cases must be remembered.

Indefinite article

The indefinite article comes from the numeral one(one). It is not usually translated into Russian, but it could be translated as “one”, “one of” or “some”, “some”. Therefore, the indefinite article can only be used with countable nouns and only in the singular.’

The indefinite article is used:
1. When an object, creature or person is mentioned for the first time, for example: I see a boy (I see (some) boy).
2. If revolution is used there is, for example: There is an apple in my pocket (I have an apple in my pocket/in my pocket).
3. If revolution is used have something/ have got something, for example: I have (got) an orange (I have an orange).
4. If the profession, position, nationality and other characteristics of a person are called, for example: I am a teacher (I am a teacher); Her son is a pupil (Her son is a student).
5. When you need to indicate that a given object (creature, person) belongs to a certain group (the property of the group is expressed by an adjective), for example: Do you know that town? Yes, it is a nice small town (Do you know this town? Yes, it is a nice little town). (In this case, the item does not need to be mentioned for the first time.)
6. If you need to specifically emphasize that there is only one subject, for example: Do you have pencils? Yes, I have a pencil (Do you have pencils? Yes, there is (one)). (Here, too, the subject does not have to be mentioned for the first time.)

Definite article

The definite article comes from the demonstrative pronoun that(this). He highlights specific item from among similar ones (“this”, “exactly this”, “that one”).

The definite article is used:
1. If the subject has already been mentioned and the conversation continues specifically about it, for example: My friend has got a dog. He walks with the dog every day (My friend has a dog. He walks the dog every day). But: My friend has got a dog. My sister also has a dog (My friend has a dog. My sister also has a dog).
2. If the object or objects belong to some special group, for example: The flowers in our garden are very beautiful (The flowers in our garden are very beautiful). (Here in our garden there is a special group, so the word flowers is written with a definite article. In this case, the word may be mentioned for the first time, but the article will be definite.)
3. If the noun is preceded by an ordinal number, for example: The second lesson is English. (In this case, we are talking about a specific and unique thing: there can be only one second lesson.)
4. If there is an adjective before a noun superlatives, for example: Not is the best pupil in our school (He is the best student in our school). (In this case, we are talking about a specific and unique thing: there can only be one best student.)
5. If we are talking about a unique phenomenon or object. (This is why the Earth and the Sun are usually written. Here, using the definite article is similar to writing a word with capital letter In russian language.)
6. If we are talking about familiar objects of furniture and the surrounding world, for example: Where is my coat? It hangs at the door (Where is my coat? It hangs at the door). (It is not necessary that a specific door is meant - just a familiar piece of furniture is called).
7. If an abstract noun is used in some of its particular manifestations, for example: I cannot see anything in the darkness! (I can't see anything in this darkness!)

Absence of article (zero article)

In the absence of an article, they also say that there is a zero article.

The article is missing in the following cases.
1. When an object (thing, creature, person) is mentioned for the first time in the plural, for example: I see boys in the street (I see (some) boys on the street).
2. If revolution is used there are with a plural noun, for example: There are apples in my pocket (I have apples in my pocket).
3. If revolution is used have something/ have got something, for example: I have (got) oranges in my refrigerator (I have oranges in my refrigerator).
4. If the profession, position, nationality and other characteristics of two or more people are called, for example: We are teachers; Her sons are pupils (Her sons are students).
5. When you need to indicate that these items belong to a certain group (the property of the group is expressed by an adjective), for example: Did you hear these songs? Yes, these were very nice songs (Have you heard these songs? Yes, they were very nice songs). (In this case, it is not necessary that the word be called for the first time.)
6. If an abstract noun is used in the most general sense, for example: Darkness is the absence of light (Darkness is the absence of light).
7. If before a noun there is possessive pronoun, for example: My house is yellow (My house is yellow).
8. If there is a negation before a noun no(not not!), for example: We have no bread on the table (We have no bread on the table).

It is important to know! If in cases 1-5 are used uncountable nouns(they do not have a plural), then the article is also absent. All these cases are similar to the use of the indefinite article with singular countable nouns.

Using articles with proper names

Proper names are usually used without an article, for example: Moscow, New York, Elizabeth, Trafalgar Square, Elbrus.

The definite article is used in the following special cases.
1. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, for example: the Mississippi - Mississippi (river); the Baltic Sea - Baltic Sea; the Atlantic Ocean - Atlantic Ocean.
2. The names of some states, for example: the Russian Federation - Russian Federation; the Ukraine - Ukraine; the Brazil - Brazil; the USA - USA; the United Kingdom - United Kingdom.
3. Some others geographical names(with an article - according to tradition), for example: the Caucasus - Caucasus; the Crimea - Crimea; the Hague - The Hague (a city in the Netherlands).
4. Names of mountains (mountain systems), for example: the Alps - Alps.
5. Names of the cardinal directions: the North - north; the South - south; the East - east; the West - west.
6. Names of newspapers and magazines, for example: the Times - “The Times”.
7. Hotel names, for example: the Savoy - “Savoy”.
8. The name of the entire family (all family members) by last name, for example: the Krasnovs - Krasnovs (Krasnov family).

The following proper names are used without an article.
1. Names of continents, for example: America - America; Asia - Asia; Africa - Africa.
2. The names of most countries, for example: Russia - Russia; India - India; France - France; Great Britain - Great Britain.
3. Names of cities, for example: London - London; Paris - Paris; Moscow - Moscow.
4. Names of streets and squares, for example: Green Street - Green Street; Red Square - Red Square.
5. Names of months and days of the week, for example: I’ll see you in September/on Sunday.
6. First and last names, for example: Jack Black, Ivan Petrov.

Collocations with and without articles

Combinations without articles

after school/work - after school/work
at half past two - at half past two
at night - at night
at home - at home; at work - at work
at school - at school (in class)
at table - at the table (that is, at lunch, etc.)
by heart - by heart
by post - by mail
from beginning to end - from beginning to end
from morning till night - from morning to evening
go to bed - go to bed
in front of - ahead
play football/hockey - play football/hockey
to go/come home - go/come home

Combinations with the indefinite article

at a quarter past two - at a quarter past two
go for a walk - go for a walk
have a good time - have a good time
have a look - take a look
in a hurry - in a hurry
in a low/loud voice - quiet/loud
It's a pity! - It's a pity!
It's a pleasure! - Very nice!
It's a shame! - Ashamed!

Combinations with the definite article

go to the theater/cinema - go to the theater/cinema
in the country - outside the city, in the village
in the morning/afternoon/evening - in the morning/afternoon/evening
keep the house - stay at home
on/to the right/left - right, right/left, left
play the piano/guitar - play the piano/guitar
the other day - the other day
What is the time? - What time is it now?

Watch this video to get a basic understanding of articles in English before reading the article.

Why are articles needed in English?

Did you know that the article is a part of speech that does not exist in Russian?

We change stress and word order to give a phrase a flavor that is strictly fixed in English.

See how the meaning of the phrase changes:

• I like the car.
• I like the car.

Do you sense a catch? In the first case, it is not clear what kind of machine we are talking about, but in the second we are talking about a specific machine.

In English, words cannot be interchanged, so articles are used to give the desired connotation to a phrase A, An And The.

Article rules

The concept of the article in English grammar is associated with the category of definiteness. Simplified, the article rule sounds like this:

Remember!

If we are talking about an unknown object, then the indefinite article A / An. If we are talking about something specific, then an article is placed before it The.

Assignment: What articles should be used in the following examples?

We bought a car.

We bought the car we saw yesterday.

Click on the arrows to get the answer.

Clue.

Article The descended from This(this) - you can point with your finger.
A / An descended from One(one).

That's why the article A/An used only in the singular!

In a simplified form, the grammatical rules of articles can be represented as follows:

Plural noun?
Countable noun?
Have you heard of him before? (indefinite or definite article)
Are we talking about something in common?

What is the difference between the articles A and An?

Let's repeat!
Indefinite article A/An(which comes from one) We put only before in the singular!

So what's the difference between A And An?

Article A is placed before words that begin with consonants (a c at, a h ouse, a y ard), and An- before words that begin with vowels (an a pple, an h our).

Let this picture pop up before your eyes when you choose your food a And an.

When do we use the indefinite article?

1. When we classify an object, we attribute it to a certain group of objects.

• A cow is an animal. - A cow is an animal.
• An apple is a fruit. - An apple is a fruit.

2. When we characterize an object.

• My mother is a nurse. - My mother is a nurse.
• He is an idiot! - He is idiot!