Rules for using Articles

Wondering when to use:

a

an

the ????

Lets Learn !!

"A" , "AN" , "THE"

In english, "a" and "an" are called indefinite articles and "the" is called definite article.

Can u tell me WHY?

A or an are called indefinite articles because they talk about something the listener doesn't know about.

The is called definite article because the listener knows what you are referring to.

Rule # 1

Use "a" before a consonant sound.

Use "an" before a vowel sound.

a cat a dog a boy a car

an umbrella an ice cream an honest boy

Rule # 2

Use "a" or "an" only with countable nouns

Countable Nouns

an elephant

a bus

a teacher

a pencil

a book

Uncountable Nouns

water

love

air

happiness

sugar

milk

Rule # 3

Use "a" or "an" to talk about a person or a thing unknown to the listener.

Use "the" to talk about a person or a thing known to the listener.