English The Easy Way : English Grammar : Nouns : Determiners
Determiners - A , An or The
When to use A, An or The?
Definite Article - "The" is a definite article, which means that it is used to specify something specific. It refers to a noun the is either understood (by the reader or listener) or has been previously referred to by the writer or speaker.
Indefinite Articles - "A" and "An" are indefinite articles. The difference between "A" and "An". "An":is used is it comes after a word that starts with a vowel.
"A" and "an" are used the same way grammatically. They are used before a singular noun, or before the adjective the represents the noun. They can't be used with plural nouns or uncountable nouns.
| A/An | There is a dog outside the building. | We don't know which dog the writer/speaker is referring to. |
| The | The black dog is outside the building. | It is understood to which dog the writer/speaker is referring to |
| A/An | Do you know where there is a post office? | The writer/speaker is not referring to a specific post office |
| The | I am going to the post office. | It is understood to which post office the speaker/writer is referring to. |
English The Easy Way : English Grammar : Nouns : Determiners
