Article Grammar: Definite and Indefinite Articles

Definite and Indefinite Articles! Choosing the correct definite or indefinite article can be tricky. This article will help you understand when to use each type and how they differ. Knowing when to use a definite or indefinite article will improve your grammar skills and make you a more confident writer.

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Definite and Indefinite Articles

What is an Article?

An article is a word that is used before a noun to indicate whether the noun is specific or unspecific. When an article is used before a noun, it can change the meaning of the noun.

For example, if you say “I read the article on fossils,” you are referring to a specific article. However, if you say “I read an article on fossils,” you are referring to any article.

There are three articles in English: “a,” “an,” and “the.” “A” and “an” are called indefinite articles because they refer to someone or something that is not specific. “The” is called a definite article because it refers to someone or something that is specific. Learn more about how to use articles in English grammar with these examples and explanations.

Types of Articles in Grammar

There are three articles in English grammar: a, an, and the. Each article is used before a noun to show whether the noun is specific or unspecific.

i- Indefinite Articles

“A” and “an” are indefinite articles because they refer to someone or something that is not specific. For example, if you say “I need a book,” you are referring to any book.

ii- Definite Article

“The” is a definite article because it refers to someone or something that is specific. For example, if you say “I read the book on fossils,” you are referring to a specific book.

When to Use A (Indefinite Article)

1- Use “a” before words that begin with a consonant sound.

For example:

a dog
a cat

2- Use “a” before words that begin with “u” when the word sounds like “you.”

For example:

a university

3- Use “a” before words that begin with a vowel sound but are pronounced with a consonant sound.

For example:

a one-way ticket (sounds like won)

When to Use AN (Indefinite Article)

1- Use “an” before words that begin with a vowel sound.

For example:

an apple
an orange

2- Use “an” before words that begin with a silent letter.

For example:

an hour (h is silent)

3- Use “an” before words that begin with “u” when the word sounds like “yoo.”

For example:

an umbrella

When to Use THE (Definite Article)

1- Use “the” before a noun when you know the listener/reader knows which one you are talking about.

For example:

I’m going to the store. (The listener/reader knows which store.)

2- Use “the” before a noun when there is only one of that thing.

For example:

The cat is on the table.

3- Use “the” before a noun that has already been mentioned.

For example:

I saw a cat. The cat was sleeping.

4- Use “the” before the first noun in a list of two or more things.

For example:

I have a cat and a dog. The cat is black and the dog is white.

5- Use “the” before certain adjectives.

For example:

He’s the best basketball player in the world.

When NOT to Use “an” Article

1- Do not use an article before a plural noun.

For example:

cats
dogs

2- Do not use an article before a proper noun (the name of a person, place, or thing).

For example:

John
Africa

3- Do not use an article before an uncountable noun.

For example:

rice
water

4- Do not use an article before the word “bed.”

For example:

I’m going to bed.

5- Do not use an article before the word “church.”

For example:

I’m going to church.

Definite and Indefinite Article Examples

20 Examples of Definite Article

1- The cat sat on the mat.

2- The dog barked at the mailman.

3- I saw the teacher in the school cafeteria.

4- We drove to the beach for a picnic.

5- The student asked for extra help with his math assignment.

6- The party organizers had a great time planning the event.

7-The astronaut explored new galaxies on his space mission.

8- The lawyer argued his case in court.

9- I read the book that was assigned for class last week.

10- We turned off the lights when we left the room.

11- The president signed the bill into law.

12- The doctor prescribed medicine to ease the patient’s symptoms.

13- I found the keys I was looking for in my desk drawer.

14- The plumber fixed the broken pipe in our home.

15- I heard the sound of birds chirping outside my window.

16- We watched the sun set over the horizon.

17- The construction workers finished building the bridge.

18- The fireman put out the burning building.

19- I made the decision to go back to school.

20- We looked for the missing cat in the neighborhood.

20 Examples of Indefinite Article

1- A bird flew into the window.

2- A mouse scurried across the floor.

3- A book was on the table.

4- A cat sat in the corner.

5- A balloon floated away in the wind.

6- A girl was singing a song.

7- A cloud was in the sky.

8- A tree was outside the window.

9- A snake slithered across the ground.

10- A dog barked at me.

11- A boy was playing with a ball.

12- A car drove by the house.

13- A fly buzzed around my head.

14- A turtle slowly crossed the road.

15- A fish swam in the pond.

16- A squirrel ran up a tree.

17- A house stood at the end of the street.

18- A river flowed through the valley.

19- A mountain stood in the distance.

20- A star shone brightly in the night sky.

Article Grammar Exercises

Now that you know the types of articles and when to use them, test your knowledge with these practice questions. Select the correct article for each sentence.