In English there are some kinds of words we put before nouns, but in this time we will study about what is called "Articles", they are "A, An, and The". However, we will start about "A and An" firstly. They are called an "Indefinite articles" The choice between a or an is determined by the sound; consonants and vowels.

A or An

Compare A/ An

1. Before a word beginning with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u) an is used; as, an apple, an orange, an umbrella, an egg, an enemy, an hour, an honest and etc. It will be noticed that the words hour, honest begin with a vowel sound, as the initial consonant is not pronounced.

2. Before a word beginning with a consonant sound a is used; as, a boy, a girl, a garden, a house, a cat, a union, a university, a European and etc. It will be noticed that the words union, university, European, begin with a vowels. In contrary, these words begin with consonant sound, that of yu.

How to use "a" and "an"

1. In the general sense:

Ex. This is a cat. That is a boy.

2. Jobs:

He is a doctor. I am an engineer. She is a nurse.

3. Time/ Frequency:

He goes to school five days a week. They have meals three times a day.

4. Money/ Quantity:

It is $5 a dish. I want a quart of ice cream

Questions about "The"

Q: What is "The"?
A: "The" is a definite article.
Q: What is it used for?
A: "The" is used for identifying the specific nouns.

How to use "the"

1. For the particular things or people:

• I want to see the student who was absent for three days.
• The girl with red shoes is my sister.
• Mary is in the kitchen.

2. When there is only one of things we talking about: the earth, the sun, the universe, the sea, the moon, the sky, the ocean, the weather and etc.

3. Proper nouns: Continents, countries, islands, states, religions, hills, mountains, oceans, seas, rivers, cities, bridges: the United Kingdom(the UK), the United States of America (the USA), the Alps, the Rockies, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the (River) Thames, the High Street, the Avenue, the A5, the M6(Motorway), the Golden Gate Bridge, the Severn Bridge.

Exception: Omission of the Article

1. Before names of materials; as,

Gold is a precious metal.
Cotton grows in India, America, and Egypt.

2. Before uncountable nouns; as,

Wisdom is the gift from heaven.
Honesty is the best policy.
Virtue is its own reward.

3. Before languages; as,
We are studying English.
Eric can speak Thai.
They speak French.

4. Countries, Nationalities; as,

He is Thai.
They come from Japan.
Chris is from Australia.
He is Australian.

Exercise: Put "a" or "an" in the gaps