English Grammar Articles (a, an, the)
What are English grammar articles? An article is a word that is used before a noun to show whether the noun refers to something specific or not. A, an and the are articles.
In the above sentence we find the article "a". It shows us that the speaker does not need a specific chair. He can have any chair.
In the above sentence we find the article "the." It shows us that the speaker wants a specific apple.
In English, there are two kinds of English grammar articles.
(For example: the box)
"Definite" means "clear, obvious."
The definite article tells us that the noun is specific. The speaker talks about a particular (or known) thing.
The definite article in English is "the."
"The car I've bought broke down."
"He has a son and a daughter. The daughter is a doctor."
"The actors were really good."
"I remember the day we first met."
"The" can be used before both singular and plural nouns.
"The flower he gave her was very beautiful."
"The flowers on the table are nice."
(For example: a box)
"In-" means "not," and "definite" means "clear, obvious."
"Indefinite" means "not clear, not exact."
The indefinite article tells us that the noun is not specific. The speaker talks about any one of that type of things.
The indefinite articles in English are "a" and "an."
(The speaker doesn't tell us which pen he needs. He simply needs a pen, any pen.)
(The speaker doesn't tell us which movie Lisa wants to see. She wants to see some movie.)
(The speaker doesn't tell us which car Joe has. He has some car.)
What is the difference between "a" and "an"?
"A" and "an" have the same meaning.
We use "a" before a consonant sound.
We use "an" before a vowel sound.
We use "a" and "an" only before a singular noun. We can't use "a" and "an" before a plural noun.
What is the difference between "a" and "the"?
"The" is used to talk about specific or known things. These are usually things that have been mentioned before or that the listener is familiar with.
"A" (or "an") is used to talk about things which are not specific. These are usually things that haven't been mentioned before or that the listener is unfamiliar with.
Let's say I tell you: "I went to see a doctor last week."
Explanation: I went to see some doctor. I didn't mention him before, and you are not familiar with him. Another option is that it is not important who he is. So I use the word "a".
Then I say: "The doctor said I should get more rest."
Now you already know which doctor I refer to. I refer to the doctor I went to see. So I use the word "the."
Next I tell you: "Do you remember the movie we watched together?"
I use the word "the" because I mention a specific movie – you know which movie I talk about.
Then I tell you: "Well, I've seen a better movie since!"
You are not familiar with the new movie, so I use the word "a".
I also tell you: "A man on the street stepped on my foot."
You don't know who exactly stepped on my foot, I've never mentioned him before. So I use the word "a".
Finally, I tell you: "I am a singer."
This sentence simply means that I sing for a living. If I would say: "I am the singer" you would understand that I am that singer that was mentioned before.
- "Wow! I heard a great singer is coming to town."
- "Oh, it's me. I am the great singer."
Now that we understand the general idea of English grammar articles, here are some more specific details:
Specific Uses of English Grammar Articles
You mention something for the first time.
You want to say that something belongs to a certain group.
You want to say that someone belongs to a certain group.
You want to say that something is that kind of thing.
Example: I've built a strong ship.
You want to say that someone is that kind of person.
You talk about a specific thing.
Example: The feeling I got was very strange.
It is clear which thing you are talking about.
You talk about something in general.
You talk about cities, countries, streets, etc.