<aside> 💡 See also Determiners.

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Articles are a type of determiner in English that provide information about the noun they precede. There are two main types of articles: definite and indefinite.

1. Definite Article: "The"
   • Usage: "The" is used to refer to a specific noun that is known to both the speaker and the listener. It indicates that there is only one of that particular item, or the speaker is referring to a specific instance.
   • Examples:
     • The car is parked outside.
     • I saw a movie last night. The movie was excellent.
     • She is the manager of the company.
2. Indefinite Articles: "A" and "An"
   • Usage:
     • "A" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.
     • "An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.
     • Both "a" and "an" indicate that the noun is non-specific or introduces a noun for the first time.
   • Examples:
     • I want to buy a car.
     • She has an interesting story to tell.
     • He is a doctor.
     • Can I have an apple?

Important Note:

• The choice between "a" and "an" is determined by the sound that follows the article, not necessarily the first letter. For example, "an hour" (because "hour" starts with a vowel sound) and "a university" (because "university" starts with a "ju" sound, which is a consonant sound).

Articles are essential in English because they help clarify whether the speaker is referring to something specific or something non-specific. They also play a crucial role in making sentences grammatically correct and conveying precise meaning.