ARTICLES
Articles are used before nouns. If there are determiners (adjectives or adverbs) before the noun, the article comes first. (eg a very spiteful old man)
DEFINITE ARTICLE the
Before a noun beginning with a vowel, the pronunciation changes to ‘thee’. (eg The angel appeared to Mary)
INDEFINITE ARTICLE a, an
When the word following the article begins with a consonant, a is used. (eg a very naughty boy)
Before words beginning with vowels, an should be used. (eg an apple)
WORDS BEGINNING WITH ‘H’
Some words beginning with ‘h’ and coming from French have traditionally been used with the an form of the article even though the ‘h’ is pronounced (eg heroic, historic, herb) This usage is dying out.
DEFINITE ARTICLE the
Before a noun beginning with a vowel, the pronunciation changes to ‘thee’. (eg The angel appeared to Mary)
INDEFINITE ARTICLE a, an
When the word following the article begins with a consonant, a is used. (eg a very naughty boy)
Before words beginning with vowels, an should be used. (eg an apple)
WORDS BEGINNING WITH ‘H’
Some words beginning with ‘h’ and coming from French have traditionally been used with the an form of the article even though the ‘h’ is pronounced (eg heroic, historic, herb) This usage is dying out.