Articles
The indefinite article: "a" and "an"
the indefinite article is used with singular nouns when the reader does not know exactly which one we are referring to:
- Police are searching for a 5-year child.
It is used to show that the person or thing is one of a group.
- He is a prefect of school prefect board.
An indefinite article is not used with plural nouns or uncount nouns.
a is used before constant sound and an is used before a vowel sound.
The definite article: "the"
The definite article is used in front of a noun when we believe the reader knows exactly what we are referring to:
- because there is only once.
- The moon is very bright tonight.
- Anne is the cleverest girl in class.
- because there is only one in that context.
- We live in a small house near to the river.
- because we have already mentioned it.
- Desert Flower is a famous book. The book is in my favourite list.
- the definite article is used to say something about all the things referred to by a noun.
- The kangaroo is found only in Australia.
- the definite article is used to refer to a system or service.
- I heard it on the radio.
- You should tell the police.
The definite article is also used with adjectives.
- I think the rich should pay more taxes.