Articles: a, an, the

Use a/an for one non-specific singular noun, the for a specific known noun, and no article for general plurals and uncountable nouns.

1. 1
   a/anA1

   first time you mention a thing

   When to use it

   Use a/an the first time you mention one thing, when it is not a specific known one yet: a cat = some cat, one of many.

   Build an example

   Context

   first mentionknown / mentioned againgeneral meaning

   abook

   Maria bought a book.

   First mention of one singular countable noun: use a/an.

   Spelling

   consonant sound→use aa university

   vowel sound→use anan hour

   first letter can mislead→follow the soundan honest person / a European city

   Common mistake

   I saw cat in the yard.I saw a cat in the yard.

   A singular countable noun needs an article when you mean one thing in general.

   Practice this step
2. 2
   theA1
3. 3
   no articleA2
4. 4
   Which article to chooseB1