Articles (a, an, the) in English: Rules and Examples

Articles in English: a, an, the

Indefinite Articles: a / an

Used with singular countable nouns when mentioning something for the first time or talking about something in general.

• a: before consonant sounds. a book, a university (sounds like “you”)
• an: before vowel sounds. an apple, an hour (silent h)
• I have a car. / She is an engineer.

Definite Article: the

Used when both speaker and listener know what is being referred to, or when it is unique.

• The sun is bright. (unique)
• Close the door. (specific door)
• I visited the museum yesterday. (known)

No article (Ø)

With plural countable and uncountable nouns talking generally, proper nouns, meals, sports, etc.

• Ø Cats are animals. / Ø Water is essential.
• Ø Algeria is a country. / Ø Breakfast is ready.

Exercise

Complete with a, an, the, or Ø:

1. … sun rises in … east.
2. She is … honest woman.

See Comparative and Superlative and Wh-Questions.