aRticLes

ARTICLES

The

The word the is the only definite article in the English language, and the most frequently used word in English. The article "the" is used with singular and plural, and countable and uncountable nouns when both the speaker and listener would know the thing or idea already. The article the is often used as the very first part of a noun phrase in English. For example:
The end of time begins next Tuesday, at a quarter past four, just after fish and chips.
Here, "the end of time" is a noun phrase. The use of the signals that the reference is to a specific and unique instance of the concept (such as person, object, or idea) expressed in the noun phrase. Here, the implication is that there may be but are not multiple 'ends of time'; which 'end of time' it is that is being referred to is not ambiguous, because time can (supposedly) only end once.

'The’ also used to indicate something that we already know about or something that is common knowledge.
Examples :
- The girl that wearing pink shirt is my friend
(the speaker and the listener know which girl)
- The earth is round.
(there’s only one earth)

With non-count nouns, one uses the article the if speaking in specific terms, but uses no article if speaking in general.
Examples :
- Sugar is sweet. (general-all sugar)
- The sugar on the table is from Sumatra.(specific-the sugar that is on table)

A and An can precade oonly singular count nouns, They mean one.

They ‘an’ be used in a general statement or to introduce a subject which has not been previously mentioned.
Examples :
- a baseball is round (general-means all baseballs)
- I saw a boy in the street (we don’t know which boy)

‘An’ is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.
‘A’ is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.
Examples :
a book an apple

The following words begin with consonant sound and thus must always be preceded by ‘a’.
Examples :
house, home, heavy, half, uniform,university, universal, union.

He following words begin with a vowel sound and thus must always be preceded by ‘an’.
Examples :
uncle, umbrella, hour, heir.

The initial sound of the word that immediately follows the indefinite article will determiner weather it should be ‘a’ or ‘an’.
Examples :
an umbrella, an hour, a white umbrella, a whole hour.