DEFINITE AND INDEFINITE ARTICLES

1. In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known. There are certain situations in which a noun takes no article

1.1. As a guide, the following definitions and table summarize the basic use of articles. Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of the rules and for examples of how and when to apply them.

1.2. Definite article the (before a singular or plural noun) Indefinite article a (before a singular noun beginning with a consonant sound) an (before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound) Count nouns - refers to items that can be counted and are either singular or plural Non-count nouns - refers to items that are not counted and are always singular

2. https://youtu.be/3IGhsr97GLc?t=20

3. Examples

3.1. Examples of the Use of Articles

3.2. I do not want a gun in my house (any gun). The gun is in his closet (implies there is a specific gun). I am afraid of guns (all guns in general).

3.2.1. She sent me a postcard from Italy (an unspecific postcard - not a letter, not an e-mail). It's the postcard that I have in my office (one specific postcard). Getting postcards makes me want to travel (any postcard in general).

3.2.1.1. I have a dog (one dog). The dog is very friendly (the dog that I have already mentioned). Dogs make great pets (dogs in general).