What Are Articles? 

An article is a word that comes before a noun to show if it’s specific or general. Specific nouns use the article the and general nouns use the article a/an.

Example: The pen refers to only one pen, but a pen refers to any pen.

Types of Articles: 

The Definite Article: 

The definite article is the word the. It limits the meaning of a noun to one particular thing. The definite article can be used with singular, plural, or uncountable nouns. 

Example: Please give me the nail.

The Indefinite Article:

The indefinite article takes two forms. The word a when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant. The word “an” when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel. 

The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing and only appears with singular nouns. 

Example: He bought a house.

Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns: 

Uncountable nouns are nouns that are either difficult or impossible to count. These include intangible things (e.g., information, air), liquids (e.g., milk, wine), and things that are too large or numerous to count (e.g., equipment, sand, wood). Because these things can’t be counted, we never use a or an with them. The indefinite article is only for singular nouns. Uncountable nouns can be modified by words like some. 

Example: Please give me a water. Please give me some water.

Sometimes depending on the context, some nouns can be countable or uncountable (e.g., hair, noise, time):

Example: We need a light in this room. We need some light in this room.