Subject: English
Book: English Grammar
Articles (“a,” “an,” and “the”) are little words that come before nouns to tell us if something is general or specific.
### A/An
- Used for nonspecific items. “A” goes before consonant sounds (“a cat”), while “an” goes before vowel sounds (“an apple”).
- Example: “I want **a** pencil,” “I see **an** elephant.”
### The
- Used for a specific item both the speaker and listener know about. “I want **the** pencil on the table.” (We know which pencil!)
- Also used for unique things: “**The** sun,” “**The** moon.”
### Helpful Hints
- If you’re just talking about any random item: “I saw **a** dog.”
- If it’s clear which one you’re talking about: “I saw **the** dog next door.”
- “An” is for words starting with a vowel sound: “an umbrella,” “an hour” (because hour starts with an “ow” sound).
Articles are like signposts telling us if we’re pointing to any old thing or something quite special or known.