The Indefinite Article: a / an

1. We use the article a / an when we are talking about something for the first time or not specific things.

• I've got a new job. (the listener doesn't know what the job is)
• Would you like a drink? (unspecific drink - i.e., any drink)

2. The indefinite article can be used only in front of a singular noun.

• a user
• a piece of cake

3. The article a is used in front of words that begin with a consonant sound.

• a book
• a small apartment
• a house
• a university (the letter u sounds like a consonant)

4. The article an is used in front of words that begin with a vowel sound.

• an elephant
• an old car
• an apple
• an hour (we use an because the letter h is not pronounced)

The Definite Article: the

1. The article the is used before singular count nouns.

• He's going to take the dog for a walk

2. The article the is used before plural count nouns.

• Harry and Daniel are using the computers

3. The article the can be used with notcount nouns or the article can be dropped entirely.

• "He's drinking the water." or "He's drinking water."

4. We use the article the when we walk about something more specific.

• The train to London leaves at 6.30.
• I always remember the day when we met.

5. When we talk about something for the first time we use a or an, the next time we repeat that object we use the definite article the.

• I live in an apartment. The apartment is big and clean.                                                     

  INDEFINITE ARTICLES

  In English, the two indefinite articles are a and an. Like other articles, indefinite articles are invariable. You use one or the other, depending on the first letter of the word following the article, for pronunciation reasons. Use a when the next word starts with a consonant, or before words starting in u and eu when they sound like you. Use an when the next word starts with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or with a mute h.

  EXAMPLES

  • a boy
  • an apple
  • a car
  • a helicopter
  • an elephant
  • a big elephant
  • an itchy sweater
  • an ugly duck
  • a european
  • a university
  • a unit
  • an hour
  • an honor

  The indefinite article is used to refer to something for the first time or to refer to a particular member of a group or class. Some use cases and examples are given below.

  Use a to refer to something for the first time.

  EXAMPLES

  • Would you like a drink?
  • I've finally got a good job.
  • An elephant and a mouse fell in love.

  NAMING MEMBERS OF A GROUP

  Use a with names of jobs.

  EXAMPLES

  • John is a doctor.
  • Mary is training to be an engineer.
  • He wants to be a dancer.

  Use a with nationalities and religions in the singular.

  EXAMPLES

  • John is an Englishman.
  • Kate is a Catholic.

  Use a with the names of days of the week when not referring to any particular day.

  EXAMPLES

  • I was born on a Thursday.
  • Could I come over on a Saturdaysometime?

  Use a to refer to an example of something.

  EXAMPLES

  • The mouse had a tiny nose .
  • The elephant had a long trunk .
  • It was a very strange car .

  Use a with singular nouns after the words 'what' and 'such'.

  EXAMPLES

  • What a shame !
  • She's such a beautiful girl .
  • What a lovely day !

  Use a meaning 'one', referring to a single object or person, or a single unit of measure. In these sentences using "one" instead of the indefinite article is grammatically correct. It will add emphasis to the number, and contrast with other numbers.

  EXAMPLES

  • I'd like an orange and two lemons please.
  • I'd like one orange and two lemons please.
  • The burglar took a diamond necklace and some valuable paintings.
  • I can think of a hundred reasonsnot to come.
  • I need a kilogram of sugar.
  • I need one kilogram of sugar.
  • You can't run a mile in 5 minutes!