Articles (a/an-the)

The Indefininte Article (a/an)

Use a before singular nouns beginning wih a consonant sound.

• a bag
• a pencil
• a towel
• a table
• a flower
• a university

Use an before singular nouns beginning with a vowel/vocal sound.

• an apple
• an umbrella
• an envelope
• an ant
• an eraser
• an hour

Use a/an when you are talking about people or things for the first time or in general.

• She has a new bag.
• They have a cat.
• He took a book, yesterday.

Use a/an when you are talking about people's jobs, religion, nationalities, etc.

• Gerald  is a pilot
• I am a Muslim
• I am an Indonesian

The Definite Article (the)

Use the before uncountable nouns and singular and plural countable nouns.

• The cheese
• The class
• The trousers

Use the when you are talking about a particular person or thing.

• I know the tall man over there, but I don't know the boy with the green sweater.

Use the before a noun which was mentioned earlier.

• There was a barber shop here four years ago.
• There was a market next to the barber shop.

Use the before known people or things.

• I want to talk to the teacher today.
• Is Tom in the library?

Use the before nouns which are unique.

• The equator is an imaginary line around the earth.

Omission of Articles

Don't use a/an or the before plural nouns and uncountable nouns when talking about general things.

• I like tomatoes.
• Babies drink milk.
• Tea is very popular all over the world.

Don't use a/an or the before countries, town, streets, languanges, magazines, meals, airports, and stations.

• I'm going to have lunch with Budi today.
• I bought cosmopolitan at Grand Central Station.

Don't use a/an or the before certain places and forms of transportation.

• Bob is at work now.
• I go to school by public transportation everyday.