Articles There are only three articles in English: a, an a the. There are two types of articles: indefinite "a" and "an" or the definite - "the". You also need to know when not to use an article. Indefinite articles - A and An Definate article - the When not to use an article Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the following examples: After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good. ... English has two types of articles: definite and indefinite.

1. By Nitesh Raj Murarikar

2. Articles Definition
 The words ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’ are called articles.
 These can be divided into two types:
1) Indefinite Articles: a, an
2) Definite Article: the

3. 1.Indefinite Articles
 An:- used before singular count nouns
beginning with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or vowel
sound:
Example: an apple, an elephant, an issue,
an orange
 A :- used before singular count nouns
beginning with consonants (other than
a,e,i,o,u)
Example: a stamp, a desk, aTV, a cup, a book.

4. Indefinite Articles
 Used before singular nouns that are
unspecified:
 A pencil
 An Orange

5. Indefinite Articles
 Used before number collectives and some
numbers:
 A dozen
 A gallon (There are 3.7854118 liters in
a gallon)

6. Indefinite Articles
 Used before a singular nouns followed by a
restrictive modifier.
Example: a girl who was wearing a yellow hat
 Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of
quantity, amount, or degree:
Example: I felt a bit depressed.

7. Exceptions: Choosing A or AN
 There are a few exceptions to the general rule of
using ‘A’ before words that start with consonants
and ‘AN’ before words that begin with vowels.
 The first letter of the word honor, for example, is
a consonant, but it’s unpronounced.
 Inspite of its spelling, the word honor begins with
a vowel sound.Therefore, we use ‘AN’.Consider
the example sentence below for an illustration of
this concept.
 Incorrect: My father is a honest person.
 Correct: My father is an honest person.

8. Exceptions: Choosing A or AN
 Similarly, when the first letter of a word is a
vowel but is pronounced with a consonant
sound, use A, as in the sample sentence
below:
 Incorrect: He is an United States senator.
 Correct: He is a United States senator.
This holds true with acronyms too: AN LCD
display, A UK-based company, AN HR
department, A URL.

9. Definite Articles: THE
 Can be used before singular and plural, count
and non-count nouns
 Used to indicate a noun that is definite or has
been previously specified in the context:
- Please close the door
- I like the clothes you gave me.
 Used to indicate a noun that is unique:
- Praise the Lord!
- The Columbia River is near here.

10. Definite Articles
 Used to designate a natural phenomenon:
- The nights get shorter in the summer.
- The wind is blowing so hard.
 Used to refer to a time period:
- I was very nave in the past.
- This song was very popular in the 1980’s.
 Used to indicate all the members of family:
- I invited the Bakers for dinner.
- This medicine was invented by the Smiths.

11. Practice Questions:
 Choose the correct article in each sentence:
1) Did you bring_________ (a, an, the)
umbrella?
2) Are you looking for __________ (a, an, the)
shampoo?
3) I checked _________ (a, an, the) mailbox
again.
4) Can I have _________ (a, an, the) spoon
please?
5) I was born into ________ (a, an, the) poor
family.

12. Practice Questions:
 Choose the correct article in each sentence:
6) She will come back in ________ (a, an, the)
hour.
7) Have you been to ________ (a, an, the) Space
NeedleTower in Seattle?
8) I would love to talk to one of _________ (a,
an, the) managers.
9)What _________ (a, an, the) amazing view!
10)The helicopter landed on __________ (a, an,
the) roof of a building.