Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. There are probably several elephants at the zoo, but there's only one we're talking about here. 'When I was at the zoo, I saw an elephant!' Here, we're talking about a single, non-specific thing, in this case an elephant.We don't need a specific policeman we need any policeman who is available. 'Somebody call a policeman!' This refers to any policeman.We don't know which dog because we haven't found the dog yet. 'My daughter really wants a dog for Christmas.' This refers to any dog.'A' and 'an' signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. Let's look at each kind of article a little more closely. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie.

For example, 'I would like to go see a movie.' Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. 'A/an' is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, 'I just saw the most popular movie of the year.' There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. If I say, 'Let's read a book,' I mean any book rather than a specific book. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.įor example, if I say, 'Let's read the book,' I mean a specific book. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.Įnglish has two articles: the and a/an. What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. This handout discusses the differences between indefinite articles (a/an) and definite articles (the). Suggested Resources Style Guide Overview MLA Guide APA Guide Chicago Guide OWL Exercises

Count and Noncount Nouns (with Articles and Adjectives).

Count and Noncount Nouns (with Plurals, Articles, and Quantity Words).

Relative Pronouns in Non-defining Clauses.

Introduction and General Usage in Defining Clauses.

Prepositions of Direction: To, On (to), In (to).

Prepositions for Time, Place, and Introducing Objects.

Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns.The Difference between Adjectives and Adverbs.Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike.Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students.

What is the definition of adjective