Articles in English grammar are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. There are three articles: **"a," "an," and "the."** They are divided into two types:
### **1. Definite Article: "The"**
- **"The"** refers to a specific noun that is already known to the speaker and listener.
**Examples:**
- *The* sun rises in the east. (There is only one sun, so it is specific.)
- I saw *the* movie you recommended. (A specific movie that was mentioned earlier.)
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### **2. Indefinite Articles: "A" and "An"**
- **"A"** and **"An"** refer to a non-specific noun. They are used when the listener or reader does not know exactly which one is being referred to.
#### **Rules for "A" and "An":**
- Use **"A"** before words that begin with a consonant sound.
**Examples:**
- She bought *a* car.
- He is *a* doctor.
- Use **"An"** before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
**Examples:**
- I saw *an* elephant.
- She is *an* artist.
**Note:** The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the **sound**, not the spelling.
- *An hour* (silent "h," so it starts with a vowel sound).
- *A university* ("u" sounds like "yoo," a consonant sound).
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### **Usage Rules:**
1. **General vs. Specific:**
- *A dog* is a good pet. (Any dog, general statement.)
- *The dog* is barking. (A specific dog.)
2. **First Mention vs. Subsequent Mention:**
- I saw *a* bird. *The* bird was blue. (First mention is indefinite; subsequent mentions are definite.)
3. **Unique Nouns:**
- Use "the" with unique nouns.
- *The moon*, *the Earth*, *the president*.
4. **Plural and Uncountable Nouns:**
- No article is used for general plural or uncountable nouns.
- *Books are important.*
- *Water is essential.*
5. **Superlatives and Ordinals:**
- Always use "the" with superlative adjectives and ordinal numbers.
- *The best player*, *the first time*.
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### **Omission of Articles:**
- Articles are not used before:
- Proper nouns: *India, John.*
- Languages: *English, Spanish.*
- Abstract nouns (when speaking generally): *Happiness is key.*
- Plural nouns (when speaking generally): *Cats are cute.*
By mastering these rules, you can use articles effectively in English!
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