Grammar Rules _ Speak Good English Movement

ARTICLES
You cannot refer to a singular countable noun on its own.
It is usually preceded by an article, either the indefinite
article – a, an – or the definite article the.
Indefinite Article
When the countable noun is mentioned for the first time,
you use an indefinite article a for words beginning with
a consonant sound or an if the noun begins with a vowel
sound. However, when a countable noun is mentioned
for the second time, it is usually preceded by the definite
article the.
E.g.
• I saw a (indefinite article) cat yesterday.
The (definite article) cat was grey with black stripes.
• The girl was wearing a (indefinite article preceding
word with a consonant sound “you”) uniform but it
looked faded. The (definite article) uniform was old.
• I took an (indefinite article preceding word with
a vowel sound “um”) umbrella as it was beginning
to rain. It did not help because the (definite article)
umbrella was faulty.
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