# data[].attributes.body
Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the following examples:After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.By using the article the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.By using the article a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of tea would taste good after any long day.English has two types of articles: definite and indefinite. Let’s discuss them now in more detail.The Definite Article The definite article is the word the. It limits the meaning of a noun to one particular thing. For example, your friend might ask, “Are you going to the party this weekend?” The definite article tells you that your friend is referring to a specific party that both of you know about. The definite article can be used with singular, plural, or uncountable nouns. Below are some examples of the definite article the used in context:Please give me the hammer.Please give me the red hammer; the blue one is too small.Please give me the nail.Please give me the large nail; it’s the only one strong enough to hold this painting.Please give me the hammer and the nail.The Indefinite ArticleThe indefinite article takes two forms. It’s the word a when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant. It’s the word anwhen it precedes a word that begins with a vowel. The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing. For example, you might ask your friend, “Should I bring a gift to the party?” Your friend will understand that you are not asking about a specific type of gift or a specific item. “I am going to bring anapple pie,” your friend tells you. Again, the indefinite article indicates that she is not talking about a specific apple pie. Your friend probably doesn’t even have any pie yet. The indefinite article only appears with singular nouns. Consider the following examples of indefinite articles used in context:Please hand me a book; any book will do.Please hand me an autobiography; any autobiography will do.Exceptions: Choosing A or AnThere are a few exceptions to the general rule of using a before words that start with consonants and an before words that begin with vowels. The first letter of the word honor, for example, is a consonant, but it’s unpronounced. In spite of its spelling, the word honorbegins with a vowel sound. Therefore, we use an. Consider the example sentence below for an illustration of this concept.My mother is a honest woman.My mother is an honest woman.Similarly, when the first letter of a word is a vowel but is pronounced with a consonant sound, use a, as in the sample sentence below:She is an United States senator.She is a United States senator.This holds true with acronyms and initialisms, too: an LCD display, a UK-based company, an HR department, aURL.Article Before an AdjectiveSometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective. The usual word order is article + adjective + noun. If the article is indefinite, choose aor an based on the word that immediately follows it. Consider the following examples for reference:Eliza will bring a small gift to Sophie’s party.I heard an interesting story yesterday.Indefinite Articles with Uncountable NounsUncountable nouns are nouns that are either difficult or impossible to count. Uncountable nouns include intangible things (e.g., information, air), liquids (e.g., milk, wine), and things that are too large or numerous to count (e.g., equipment, sand, wood). Because these things can’t be counted, you should never use a or anwith them—remember, the indefinite article is only for singular nouns. Uncountable nouns can be modified by words like some, however. Consider the examples below for reference:Please give me a water.Water is an uncountable noun and should not be used with the indefinite article.Please give me some water.However, if you describe the water in terms of countable units (like bottles), you can use the indefinite article.Please give me a bottle of water.Please give me an ice.Please give me an ice cube.Please give me some ice .Note that depending on the context, some nouns can be countable or uncountable (e.g., hair, noise, time):We need a light in this room.We need some light in this room.Using Articles with PronounsPossessive pronouns can help identify whether you’re talking about specific or nonspecific items. As we’ve seen, articles also indicate specificity. But if you use both a possessive pronoun and an article at the same time, readers will become confused. Possessive pronouns are words like his, my, our, its, her, and their. Articles should not be used with pronouns. Consider the examples below.Why are you reading the my book?The and my should not be used together since they are both meant to modify the same noun. Instead, you should use one or the other, depending on the intended meaning:Why are you reading the book?Why are you reading my book?Omission of ArticlesOccasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns. In these cases, the article is implied but not actually present. This implied article is sometimes called a “zero article.” Often, the article is omitted before nouns that refer to abstract ideas. Look at the following examples:Let’s go out for a dinner tonight.Let’s go out for dinner tonight.The creativity is a valuable quality in children.Creativity is a valuable quality in children.Many languages and nationalities are not preceded by an article. Consider the example below:I studied the French in high school for four years.I studied French in high school for four years.Sports and academic subjects do not require articles. See the sentences below for reference:I like to play the baseball.I like to play baseball .My sister was always good at the math .My sister was always good at math .Your writing,
at its best.GET GRAMMARLYWorks on all your favorite websitesRelated Articles GRAMMAR TIPSWhat is a Sentence Fragment? GRAMMAR TIPSPrepositions GRAMMAR TIPSMetaphorsView Comments 76Company About Affiliates Careers & Culture Blog Press Room Contact Us Support Help Center Privacy Policy Terms of Service Services Grammarly EDU Grammarly Business Volume Licenses Handbook Community Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn2018 © Grammarly Inc.

This website uses cookies to make Grammarly work for you. By using this site, you

# data[].attributes.body
To make a better speech and when you are talking about certain something.

# data[].attributes.body
“a” is used before a singular, countable noun which begins wish consonant sounds. “an” is used the same way except it’s used when the noun starts with a vowel sound. “the” is used when something is specific.

# data[].attributes.body
Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific.

# data[].attributes.body
We use articles to make our part speech better. (I think)

# data[].attributes.body
''The'' is used when people are talking about certain thing not just anything. ''An'' is used in front of words that start with a vowel sound, and ''a'' before words that start with a consonant sound.

# data[].attributes.body
By using the article a,we’ve created a general statement.
Ex. I heard an interesting story yesterday

# data[].attributes.body
a is used in front of words to tell about someone like it used in front of word that start with b, d og something
an is used if the first letter is a or e or something
the is used if we talk about one thing

# data[].attributes.body
We use a/an when referring to something and the when we are talking about a certain something

# data[].attributes.body
You’re eating (an) apple. You’re speaking about (a) language. It goes after what letter is at the front of the word after

# data[].attributes.body
The articles are a, an and the

# data[].attributes.body
“The” er notað þegar það er verið tala um eitthvað serstakt a/an er notað hja serhljoða og samhljoða fyrsta stafs í orði

# data[].attributes.body
Using the article we have created a general statement. For example:
When do we use A/an
When we are referring to any member of a group we use a/an. It is not important which one we are talking about.

# data[].attributes.body
By using the article “the” we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.

# data[].attributes.body
Exaples: a small gift, an interesting story, the dog

# data[].attributes.body
Articles are used for example “the” man and then you are talking about someone specific man. “a” car, then are you talking about just any car.

# data[].attributes.body
The word "the" is used when you are talking about a certain something. When you are speaking about "a" dog, you could be talking about any dog. But when you are talking about "the" dog, you are reffering to a certain dog. The word "the" emphasizes what you are reffering to.

# data[].attributes.body
A- is used for consonants and an- is used for vowels. “The” is used when talking about a certain something.