What Is An Article in English?

A An The
In English grammar, there are two different types of article, the definite article and the indefinite article. In
the most simple terms an article is a way of letting the listener or speaker know that a noun is either
unspecific or specific. The words which are used as articles are the, an and a.
Let’s take a look at some examples to clarify the meaning of an article.
 During the long journey, the family played car games.
You can see that when we use the article ‘the’ that we are showing that we are talking about a specific day
and also a specific family. However, if we change the article, we can show that we are not talking about a
specific journey or family. Take a look at the example now:
 During a long journey, a family can play car games.
Simply by changing the article, we have made the sentence a more general statement and not about a
specific thing or person.
Quick note: 
 Articles are small but important words in the English language.
 Articles are considered adjectives because they modify or help describe nouns.
 Articles always come before or precede the nouns they describe.
There are only three articles in English: a, an and the.
There are two types of articles indefinite ‘a’ and ‘an‘ or definite ‘the’. You also need to know when not to
use an article.
Definite Article
The best way to remember what a definite article is, is to remember that the word ‘the’ is the definite article.
As we have briefly seen in our earlier examples, the word the can be used to demonstrate that the speaker is
referring to something specific and not talking in a general sense.
When using a definite article, it can be combined with either a plural, a singular or an uncountable noun. We
are now going to take a look at some examples of the definite article being used within a sentence.
 Please show me the photo.
 Can I see the blue dress, I do not like the red one.
 Are we going to watch the football game?
 I need the long wire, it is the only wire which will reach the plug socket.
Indefinite Article
When we are talking about the indefinite article, we are referring to the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ and depending on
which word they are referring to, will depend on which one you use.
 If the noun begins with a vowel, you should use ‘an.’
 If the nouns begins with a consonant, you should use ‘a.’
We use the indefinite article as a way of demonstrating that we are not referring to a specific item or person
but rather talking a more general sense. Let’s take a look at some examples of the indefinite article being
used within a sentence.
 I need to read a book, do you have a good one?
 I am going to watch a movie, I am not sure which one.
 There is an animal in the garden.
 Sally has an invention she is working on.
When Not to Use an English Article
1. We usually use no article to talk about things in general.
2. We do not use an article when talking about sports and games.
3. Do not use article before the names of countries unless the name suggests that the country is made up of
smaller units or constituent parts.
Use the – the UK (United Kingdom), the USA (United States of America), the Irish Republic… (Kingdom,
state, republic and union are nouns, so they need an article.)
4. Do not use article before the name of language.
5. Do not use article before the names of railway stations when they are also place names.
6. Do not use article before the names of meals if they refer to the meals generally, as a part of the daily
routine.
7. Do not use article before noun + number.