Articles: a, an, the or nothing
Articles look tiny, yet they carry a lot of meaning. A short guide to choosing the right one.
The indefinite article
Use a or an with singular countable nouns when the listener does not know which one you mean: I bought a bicycle. Choose an before a vowel sound: an hour, an umbrella.
The definite article
Use the when both people know which thing is meant, or when there is only one: Please close the door. The sun is bright today.
No article
Plural and uncountable nouns used in a general sense take no article: Dogs are loyal. Water is essential. Most names of countries, cities and languages also take none.