Articles

There are two types of articles :

• Indefinite 'a' and 'an'
• Definite 'the'

Read the table to understand when to use articles

Articles a/an	Examples
The articles a and an are indefinite srticles. They are used before singular common countable nouns. The articles a and an are also used before collective nouns.	a uniform, a ball a university, a one eyed man, a usual practice, an engine an onion, an hour, an honest man, an unbrella

An is used before singular common countable nouns beginning with a vowel sound, examples : an ox, an MLA

Articles the	Examples
The article the is a definite article. It is used before a specific or definite person or thing.	Bring me the uniform from the bedroom cupboard.
We also use the article before -
ordinal numbers	the first, the last
the superlative begree of comparison	the best, the highest
names of unique things	the earth, the sun, the sky
names of nationalities, races and communities	the Indians, the Americans
names of countries that indicate that the country is made up of many parts	the United Kingdom, the U.S.A
names of mountain ranges and deserts	the Himalayas, the Sahara
names of rivers, seas and oceans	the Ganga, the Arabian Sea
names of important buildings	the Red Fort, the Taj Mahal
names of newspapers and holy books	the Times of India, the Bible
to indicate certain noun	switch on the fan