📘 Using Articles with Nouns

Articles are placed before nouns to show if the noun is specific (definite) or general (indefinite).

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1️⃣ Rules for Using Articles

Article	Use with Nouns	Examples
a	Singular, countable nouns starting with a consonant sound, when not specific	a car, a university
an	Singular, countable nouns starting with a vowel sound, when not specific	an apple, an hour
the	Specific nouns known to the speaker/listener (singular/plural, countable/uncountable)	the car, the apples, the water

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2️⃣ Examples with Countable Nouns

• I saw a dog in the park. (any dog)
• She ate an orange. (any orange)
• The dog was barking loudly. (specific dog)
• We bought the apples you wanted. (specific apples)

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3️⃣ Examples with Uncountable Nouns

• I need some water. (no article for general)
• The water in this river is clean. (specific water)
• She gave me the information I asked for. (specific info)

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4️⃣ Important Notes

• No article is used before plural and uncountable nouns when speaking in general:
  • Dogs are friendly.
  • Water is essential.

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📝 Practice

Choose the correct article:

1. I want ___ orange.
2. She bought ___ books yesterday.
3. ___ information you gave is useful.
4. He is reading ___ interesting book.
5. ___ cats are sleeping.