Articles a, an, the in English

1. A - An - The: What Are Articles?

Articles are words that come before a noun and indicate whether the noun refers to a specific or non-specific object. We use 'the' when the noun refers to a specific object or thing that both the speaker and the listener are aware of. Conversely, when the speaker refers to a general or unspecified object, we use the indefinite articles a or an.

2. Types of Articles

There are two main types of articles commonly used in English:

• Indefinite Articles: A / An
• Definite Article: The

2.1. Indefinite Articles

There are two indefinite articles: a and an.
+ a: Used before a singular, countable noun that begins with a consonant sound.
Examples: a book, a pen.
+ an: Used before a singular, countable noun that begins with a vowel sound or a silent letter. In English, there are five vowels (a, e, i, o, u).

Examples:

• an apple, an egg, …
• an hour, an honour, … [h is silent]

Note: Some words start with a vowel letter but are pronounced with a consonant sound, and vice versa. Therefore, you should choose a or an based on the pronunciation of the first letter of the noun.

Example:

• a university (“u” is pronounced as /ju/)

Usage of Indefinite Articles

• Use a or an when mentioning something for the first time.
• I have bought a new dress. It is blue.
• Use a or an when referring to someone’s profession.
• He is a teacher.

2.2. Definite Article

Pronunciation: The definite article “the” has two pronunciations:

+ /ðə/ when used before a noun starting with a consonant sound or a vowel sound pronounced as a consonant.
Examples:

• the person, the house,
• the university, the Europeans…

+ /ði/ when used before a noun starting with a vowel sound (u, e, o, a, i) or a silent letter.
Examples:

• the eye, the other,
• the hour, the honor…

Usage: Use the definite article “the” when:

• Referring to a specific object, person, or event known to both the speaker and the listener.
• The girl standing over there is my sister.
• Referring to unique entities.
• The sun, the earth, the moon.
• Referring to a species as a whole.
• The giraffe is a friendly animal.
• Used in superlative structures.
• She is the best student in my class.
• Referring to playing a musical instrument.
• He likes playing the guitar.
• Before an adjective used as a noun to refer to a group of people, usually in the plural sense.
• The rich should help the poor.
• Before plural proper nouns referring to a couple or an entire family.
• The Smiths are having a holiday in Paris.
• Before names of mountain ranges, rivers, archipelagos, gulfs, seas, oceans, books, newspapers, and ships.
• The Thames (the Thames River), the Times (the Times newspaper), …
• Before nouns referring to ethnic groups or religious communities.
• The Vietnamese (the Vietnamese people), the Swiss (the Swiss people), …

Cases Where “The” Is Not Used

• Before plural nouns in a general sense.
• Books are true friends.
• Before abstract nouns in a general sense.
• Time is gold.
• Before nouns referring to meals.
• I often have dinner at 7:00 p.m.
• Before names of sports, games, and academic subjects.
• English is my favorite subject.
• Before proper nouns referring to lakes, mountains, continents, and most streets with specific names.
• Hoan Kiem Lake, Mount Everest, …

3. Common Mistakes When Using Articles A, An, The

Although both a and an are used for singular countable nouns, a is used for nouns starting with a consonant sound, while an is used for nouns starting with a vowel sound. Therefore, pay attention to the pronunciation of the noun rather than its first letter.

Examples:

• The word “umbrella” is pronounced as /ʌmˈbrel.ə/. The sound /ʌ/ is a vowel sound. Therefore, use an before the noun – “an umbrella,” not “a umbrella.”
• The word “university” is pronounced as /ˌjuː.nɪˈvɜː.sə.ti/. The sound /j/ is a consonant sound. Therefore, use a before the noun – “a university.”

4. Cases Where Articles A / An / The Are Not Used

Not used before uncountable nouns or plural nouns.

• Correct: Cats are covered with soft fur.
• Incorrect: A cats are covered with soft fur.

Not used before nouns referring to meals, unless an adjective precedes the noun.

• Correct: What do you want to eat for dinner?
• Incorrect: What do you want to eat for a dinner?

Not used before possessive pronouns or adjectives.

• Correct: He is a friend of mine.
• Incorrect: He is a my friend.

Not used before the name of a language (English, French, Korean, …).

• Correct: I have learned English for 5 years.
• Incorrect: I have learned the English for 5 years.

Not used before names of countries, states, archipelagos, or planets.

• Correct: He comes from a branch of our family that settled in Korea.
• Incorrect: He comes from a branch of our family that settled in the Korea.

Note: For countries composed of states, such as the United States, you can use the before the name, e.g., The United States.

Not used before titles.

• Correct: President Joe Biden.
• Incorrect: The President Joe Biden.