0Definite and Indefinite articles:
The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles.
1. Indefinite Articles: Used before singular nouns that are unspecified (a, an).
For example:
A pencil, an orange: Used before number collectives and some numbers.
A dozen, a gallon: Used before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier.
A girl who was wearing a yellow hat: Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree.
a. An: Used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or vowel sound.
For example: An apple, an elephant, an issue, an orange
b. A: Used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants (other than a, e, i, o, u).
For example: A stamp, a desk, a TV, a cup, a book
2. Definite Article: Used to indicate a noun that is definite or has been previously specified in the context.
The: Can be used before singular and plural, count and non-count nouns
a. Example:
Used to indicate a noun that is unique:
i. Please close the door:
ii. I like the clothes you gave me.
b. Example:
Used to designate a natural phenomenon:
i. Praise the Lord!
ii. The Columbia River is near here.
c. Example:
Used to refer to a time period:
i. The nights get shorter in the summer.
ii. The wind is blowing so hard.
d. Example:
Used to indicate all the members of a family:
i. I was very naïve in the past.
ii. This song was very popular in the 1980s.
e. Example:
i. I invited the Bakers for dinner.
ii. This medicine was invented by the Smiths.
