Page 2 - LESSON NOTES -Articles

Examples-
She gazed at the moon. (The Earth only has one moon)

We sailed on the Pacific Ocean. (There is only one body of water
named Pacific Ocean.)

2. A definite article is used to refer to specific things that both the

speaker and the listener know the identity of.
Examples-

Harold went to the store. (Both the speaker and the listener know
specifically which store Harold went to.)

The kids are playing outside. (Both the speaker and listener know

the identity of the kids.)

Indefinite articles
In English, there are two indefinite articles: a and an.

A is used before consonants or consonant sounds

An is used before vowels or vowel sounds.
Indefinite articles are basically the reverse of definite articles and

have several different roles.
1.Indefinite articles are used to refer to things that aren’t unique.

Raquel is a doctor. (Raquel is just one of the many doctors in the
world.)

France is a country. (France is one of many countries.)

2. Indefinite articles are used to refer to nonspecific things.
I am looking for a job. (I am not looking for a specific job.)

Please hand me an envelope. (You can hand me any envelope you
can find.)

In this same sense, indefinite articles are often used to refer to

something as an idea or concept.
Exception:

Some nouns do not take articles.

SIS/Cl-VI/English/LESSON NOTES/2025-26 Page 2