USE OF A, AN, THE

A: Usually used before a noun that begins with a consonant, such as: B, C, S and T.

THE

Exceptions

When the vowel U and the combination EU are pronounced as
you, they are considered a vowel. For example.

Before a word that begins with an h that produces a scratchy sound, a is used.

Examples: a horse, a home, a hat, etc.

An is normally used before a noun that begins with a vowel, such as: a, e, i.

Examples: an apple, an idea, an air.

Exceptions

Exceptions

When the vowel u is pronounced as
uh, it's considered a vowel. That is why it is still used with words and phrases.

Before a word that begins with a silent h, an is used.

Examples: an umpire, an unfinished project,
an unimportant detail.

Examples: an hour, an honor

We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:

Examples : The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
Who is the president of France?

We also use the definite article:

to say something about all the things referred to by a noun:

Examples: -The wolf is not really a dangerous animal.
- The kangaroo is found only in Australia.

We do not normally use the definite article with names:

-William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

-Paris is the capital of France.

-Iran is in Asia.

But we do use the definite article with:

the United Kingdom

the Kingdom of Bhutan

the United States

the People's Republic of China

Examples: A boy, a cat, a dog, a girl.