Using Articles
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An article modifies the noun that follows. English has three articles: the, a, and an.
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The is a definite article used to refer to specific or particular nouns:
“Let’s watch the movie.” Here, the refers to a specific movie.
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A and an are indefinite articles used to refer to any noun from a larger group:
“Let’s watch a movie.” Here, any movie will do.
Definite Article: the
The signals that the noun that follows is definite; it refers to a specific member of a group:
 “The cat that scratched me ran away.” It is a specific cat, the one that scratched me.
 “I love the doctor who helped me.” It is a specific doctor, the one who helped me.
 “I saw the famous tiger at the zoo.” It is a specific tiger, the famous one.
Indefinite Articles: a and an
A and an signal that the noun that follows is indefinite; it refers to any member of a group:
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“My daughter really wants a cat for Christmas.” There is no specific cat in mind.
“Somebody call a doctor!” There is no specific doctor in mind.
“I saw a tiger at the zoo.” There is no specific tiger in mind.
In English, indefinite articles are also used to indicate membership in a group:
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“I am a teacher.” I am a member of a large group known as teachers.
“Brian is an Irishman.” Brian is a member of the people known as Irish.
Distinguishing between a and an
Whether to use a or an depends on the first sound of the noun being modified. The n in an is
added in order to separate two vowel sounds, making them sound distinctive. When determining
which to choose, use your ears, not your eyes:
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a modifies singular nouns beginning with a consonant sound: a boy, a car, a bike, a zoo.
…even when they start with a vowel: a university, a European, a eulogy, a one-horse town.
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an modifies singular nouns beginning with a vowel sound: an egg, an apple, an orphan.
…even when they start with a consonant: an hour, an M&M, an F chord, an NFL player.
In some cases, the article does not come directly before the noun it is modifying. When an
adjective is in between, the choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the
adjective, not the noun:
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a broken egg (“broken” starts with a consonant sound)
a European country (“European” starts with a consonant sound, a y sound)
an unusual problem (“unusual” starts with a vowel sound)