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If the noun that comes after the article begins with a vowel sound, the appropriate indefinite
article to use is 'an.' A vowel sound is a sound that is created by any vowel in the English
language: 'a,' 'e,' 'i,' 'o,' 'u,' and sometimes 'y' if it makes an 'e' or 'i' sound.
Examples of the Definite and Indefinite Articles
Here are some more 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).)
Articles Go before Adjectives
An article often modifies a noun that is already being modified by an adjective. When this
happens, the article goes before the adjective (or adjectives). For example:
Please open the small box first.
(Here, the noun box is being modified by the adjective small. The definite article the sits
before the adjective. Remember that the use of the tells us that we are talking about a box
already known to the audience.)
You will get an excellent pizza at Papa Antonio's.
(Here, the indefinite article an sits before the adjective excellent.)
Indefinite Articles Are Used with Singular Nouns
The indefinite article (a, an) is only for singular nouns. It is not used for plural nouns.
As the indefinite article specifies one thing (e.g., a cup means one cup), it is not used with non-
countable nouns (e.g., water, air, integrity). For example:
I need an air.
Play me a music.
Give me a heat.
Most commonly, the indefinite determiner some is used instead.
Articles Are Not Used with Possessive Determiners or Possessive Pronouns
Articles are not used with possessive determiners (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) or possessive
pronouns (mine, yours, his, hers, ours, theirs) as these already show that something is specific.
For example:
Take me to the your leader.
Take me to your leader.
Can I borrow a yours?