definite and indefinite articles

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What are definite articles?

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Definite articles are words that refer to a specific noun. In English, the definite article is 'the'. For example, 'the dog' refers to a specific dog.

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What are indefinite articles?

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Indefinite articles refer to non-specific nouns. In English, the indefinite articles are 'a' and 'an'. For example, 'a dog' can refer to any dog, while 'an apple' refers to any apple.

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When do we use 'a'?

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We use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound. For example, 'a cat', 'a house'.

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When do we use 'an'?

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We use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound. For example, 'an orange', 'an hour'.

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What is the rule for using 'the'?

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We use 'the' when referring to something specific or already known to the listener. For example, 'the book on the table'.

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Can 'the' be used with singular and plural nouns?

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Yes, 'the' can be used with both singular and plural nouns. For example, 'the car' (singular) and 'the cars' (plural).

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What is an example of using 'a' in a sentence?

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Example: 'I saw a bird in the garden.' Here, 'a bird' refers to any bird.

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What is an example of using 'an' in a sentence?

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Example: 'She wants an ice cream.' Here, 'an ice cream' refers to any ice cream.

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What is an example of using 'the' in a sentence?

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Example: 'The sun is shining.' Here, 'the sun' refers to the specific sun we all know.

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How do articles affect meaning in a sentence?

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Articles help clarify whether we are talking about something specific or general. For example, 'a dog' (any dog) vs. 'the dog' (a specific dog).