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What Are Articles? (with Examples)
There are two types of articles: The articles are classified as adjectives.The is called the definite article because it is used to indicate something specific.
A and An are called the indefinite articles because they are used to indicate something unspecific.
Examples of the Definite and Indefinite Articles
Here are some examples of the articles in use:- I fell over the chair again. (The chair is specific. It is known to the audience.)
- Can you pass me a chair? (This means an unspecific chair, i.e., any chair.)
- I loved the apple pie after the meal. (In this example, the audience knows which apple pie is being praised, e.g., the one at last night's dinner.)
- I love an apple pie after dinner. (The audience understands that the speaker likes to eat an apple pie after dinner (any apple pie will do).)
- I'm not a troublemaker. I'm the troublemaker! (This means "I'm not any old troublemaker. I'm the one you all know about.")
When Do You Use An and A?
The main question regarding articles is when to use an instead of a.An is used instead of a to make speaking easier. An is used when the first sound of the next word is a vowel sound. Note: Consonants can create a vowel sound, and vowels can create a consonant sound. The use of an is determined by the sound not the letter. Look at these examples:
- A house
- An hour
- A uniform row
- An unidentified man
USE AN BEFORE A VOWEL SOUND
Use an (as opposed to a) when the next word starts with a vowel sound. For example:
Use an (as opposed to a) when the next word starts with a vowel sound. For example:
- It was an unicorn.
- It was a unicorn.
Take a longer test on articles.
Do a longer test on an or a.