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Articles

The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles.

Indefinite Articles (A and An) -- Refers to any noun from a group of nouns.

·         Used before singular nouns that are unspecified :: a pencil, an orange

·         Used before number collectives and some numbers :: a dozen, a gallon

·         Used before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier :: a girl who was wearing a yellow hat

·         Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree :: I felt a bit moved with all this

An - used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or vowel sound :: an apple,  an issue, an office, an hour

A - used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants (except a, e, i, o, u) :: a stamp, a desk, a printer, a document

Definite Article (The) -- Refers directly to a specific noun or groups on nouns. It is used to:

·      Indicate a noun that is definite or has been previously specified in the context :: Please share the information

·      Indicate a noun that is unique :: The India Gate is nearby

·      Designate a natural phenomenon :: The nights get shorter during summer

·      Refer to a time period :: This song was very popular in the 1980s

Indicate all the members of a family :: The Smiths have been invited for dinner