ARTICLES → ARTICLES: A / AN / THE · RULE 08
Articles: a / an / the
Small words before a noun. a / an means one of many — any one. the means the exact one, and we both know which.
FORMULA
a · an · the
a dog
one of many — any dog will do
the dog
this exact dog — we both know which one
THE THREE CHOICES
a
She bought a dress.
one of many · first mention
an
It took an hour.
before a vowel sound
the
The dress is red.
we both know which one
an is about sound, not spelling: an hour (silent h) — but a university (sounds like “you”).
USE THE WHEN
we both know itPass me the salt.
there is only onethe sun · the moon
second mentionI saw a cat. The cat was black.
superlativesthe best day of my life
NO ARTICLE AT ALL
things in generalLife is short. Coffee helps.
languages & most countriesShe speaks French. He lives in Italy.
meals & routineshave breakfast · go to work · be in bed
COMMON MISTAKES