Basics of the Articles: a, an, the

A and An are used when referring to a noun that is not known to the speaker, listener and/or reader.

They are what we call indefinite articles.

A - is used before a word with a consonant SOUND.

Example:

1. A car is parked in front of the house.

2. A ukulele is a string instrument.

An- is used before a word that starts with a vowel SOUND.

Example:

1. An apple is in the box.

2. An hour has 60 minutes.

The, on the other hand, is a definite article and is used before a noun that is already known to the speaker, wrtieer, listener, and/or reader.

Example:

1. The house I live in is right around the corner.

2. The car he drives is red and small.