ARTICLES

There are two kinds of articles, namely DEFINITE and INDIFINITE ARTICLES.
The is called the definite article. An/A is called the indefinite article.
A. INDEFINITE ARTICLES
1. The use of a/an
- a is used before a word beginning with a consonant, or a
vowel with consonant sound.
Examples: a man, a hat, a university, a European reputation, a
one-way
street.
I have my study at a University in Depok area.

an is used before words beginning with a vowel (a,I,u,e,o) or

words beginning with a mute h
Examples: an apple, an island, an uncle, an hour etc
an is also used before words with individual letter with vowel
sounds.
Examples: an L-plate, an SMP, an SMA student, an SOS etc
a/an is used before a singular noun which is uncountable
Examples: I need a visa
They live in a flat
a/an is used with a noun complement. This include names of
profession
Examples: It was an earthquake
Shell be a dancer
He is an actor
a/an is used in a certain expression of quantity
Examples: a lot of, a couple etc

2. Omission of a/an
- a/an is not used before plural nouns. So the plural form of a
cat and of an egg is eggs.
- a/an is not used before uncountable nouns
Examples: water, milk, etc
- a/an is not used before the names of meals, except when
they are preceded by an adjectives
Examples: We have breakfast at eight
He gave us a good breakfast
B. DEFINITE ARTICLES
1. The use of the

the is used for the singular and plural and for all gender.
Examples: the boy, the girl, the days, the toys
My mom bought me a new toy. I love playing with

the new toy.

the is used when the object or groups is unique or

considered to be unique
Examples: the sky, the sea, the stars etc
the is used before a noun which has become definite or as
result of being mentioned a second time
Examples: This car struck a tree, you can still see the mark on
the tree
the is used before the superlative degree and words such as
only. First, second etc
Examples: the first week, the best day, the only way
the is used before adjectives represents the class itself
Examples: the old = old people in general
The lion is a wild animal
the is used before certain proper names of seas, rivers,
group of island etc
Examples: the City, the Mall, the Sudan, the Yemen etc
the is used before other proper names consisting of
adjectives + noun or noun + of + noun
Examples: the National Gallery, the Tower of London
the is used before names for familiar persons or objects in
the home and the community
Examples: He walked into the house and hung his coat in the
closet

2. The omission of the

The definite article is not used:
-before names of games
Examples: He plays golf
He plays tennis