October 16, 2020
Indefinite and Definite Articles
The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article.
The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles.
Indefinite Articles—a, an
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an—used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or vowel sound:
an apple, an elephant, an issue, an orange
a—used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants (other than a, e, i, o, u):
a stamp, a desk, a TV, a cup, a book
Definite Article—the
Can be used before singular and plural, count and non-count nouns
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1. Indefinite Article (a, an)
Used before singular nouns that are unspecified:
- a pencil
- an orange
Used before number collectives and some numbers:
- a dozen
- a gallon
Used before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier:
- a girl who was wearing a yellow hat
Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree:
- I felt a bit depressed.
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2. Definite Article (the)
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.
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 naïve in the past.
- This song was very popular in the 1980s.
Used to indicate all the members of a family:
- I invited the Bakers for dinner.
- This medicine was invented by the Smiths.
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