There are two kind of articles in English language definite and indefinite.
There is no doubt that articles are adjectives since they modify the nouns after them. But articles have some special significance as determiners. Articles determine the standard of nouns.
The Articles – English Grammar
There are two types of articles:
- Definite Article – the
The makes the noun something particular and definite.
Examples
Give me the ball
Here, the speaker is telling someone to give him/her a particular ball about which the speaker and the listener both are aware. There is no possibility of the ball to be anything else rather than the speaker and the listener idea of that particular ball.
- Indefinite Article – a & an
A & an – make the noun something general and indefinite.
Examples
Give me a ball
Here, the speaker is telling someone to give him/her a random ball about which the listener is not particularly aware of, and s/he might ask ‘which/what kind of ball you want?’.
- Give me an egg. (It can be any kind of egg – the possibility is open.)
The Definite Article
The definite article the is pronounce / ði / before vowels and mute h.
Before all other sounds it is pronounced / ðə /.
Examples – The / ði /:
| the artist | /ði ˈɑːtɪst/ |
| the apple | /ði ˈap(ə)l / |
| the egg | /ði ˈɛɡ / |
| the end | /ði ˈɛnd/ |
| the hour | /ði ˈaʊə/ |
| the honor | /ði ˈɒnə/ |
Check more about Definite Articles
The Indefinite Article
The indefinite article has two forms: a and an.
a before words beginning with a consonant.
an before words beginning with a vowel or mute h.
Examples a – / ə /:
| a fork | / ə fɔːk/ |
| a fork | / ə fɔːk/ |
| a lamp | / ə ˈlamp / |
| a woman | / ə ˈwʊmən / |
| a method | / ə ˈmɛθəd / |
