Definite and Indefinite Articles

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. 

The definite article is the.

The indefinite article is a / an.

We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:

The indefinite article takes two forms. It’s the word a when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant. It’s the word an when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel. The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a particular thing.

You might ask your friend, “Should I bring a gift to the party?” Your friend will understand that you are not asking about a specific type of gift or a specific item. 

The indefinite article only appears with singular nouns. 

After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good.

By using the article the, we’ve shown that it was one specific day that was long and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.

After a long day, a cup of tea tastes particularly good.

By using the article a, we’ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of tea would taste good after any long day.