Articles are a form of speech that help distinguish nouns. Articles are essentially adjectives which describe or limit the meanings of nouns. “A”, “an”, and “the” come before nouns because they describe the noun. Even if an article comes before a verb (the walking man), it still describes the noun which is “man” in this sentence.
“A”
The article “a” is used to describe nouns in a way that does not distinguish between other nouns of the same type.
Example: I want to buy a hat.
In this sentence someone wants to buy a hat. This implies that they don’t have a specific hat in mind, but they know they want one.
Example: Let’s go to a liquor store.
The speaker in this sentence wants to go to a liquor store, and since the speaker used “a” it implies that any old liquor store will do. The speaker does not have a preference on which liquor store they go to.
This sentence is also an example of an article coming before an adjective. The article “a” still modifies “store”, even though it comes before the adjective “liquor”. “Liquor” tells us which kind of store the speaker wants to go to, it modifies or describes the noun in further detail.
“An”
“An” is an article just like “a” is only it modifies a noun that starts with a vowel. “An” describes nouns in the same way that “a” does.
Example: I want an apple.
The speaker wants an apple, but doesn’t have a particular apple in mind.
“A” and “an” can also be used to describe a noun in singular terms.
Example: That is an ugly shirt. That is a pretty shirt.
In these sentences “a” and “an” are used to describe a singular noun which is shirt. The articles in these sentences implies that the shirt is right there in front of the speaker and they are commenting on it.
“The”
The article “the” modifies nouns in a way that describes particular items.
Example: I want the apple.
The speaker has a particular apple in mind, not just any old apple will do, but “the” apple.
Example: The house is big.
The speaker is not talking about all houses in general, but a specific house, “the” house.
Articles can be confusing if you use the wrong one. They explain to readers what you mean in relation to nouns.
Hi Patricia,
I’m a Patricia as well.
Very informative article today. ‘A’ and ‘An’ give people a lot of trouble. I’m amazed at how many people mis-use them. They’ve always been easy for me, but not everyone gets it.
I’m glad you covered this.
Patti