Referring to Objects
Articles - Determiners
'A' is an indefinite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with a consonant (b, d, z, v, t, etc.).
If you use a credit card, they'll check your available balance.
Tom cashed a certified check.
An
'An' is an indefinite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with a vowel (a,e, i, o, u).
According to an executive, market capitalization was not a priority.
The manager was issued with an invoice for the things needed to make market capitalization a success.
The
'The' is a definite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with vowels or consonants.
The car over there is fast.
The teacher is very good, isn't he?
A, An - Usage
Use "a or an" when you introduce an object to a discussion. Remember that your speakers are not familiar with which object you are speaking about. However, the next time you repeat that object use "the".
You can come at your convenience and we will create an expense account for you
The manager was issued with an invoice for the things needed to make market capitalization a success.
They have an available balance of $100,000.
The - Usage
Use definite articles with specific objects that are recognizeed by both the speaker and the audience.
The common trust fund is held in a reputable financial institution.
The blocked account can only be accessed by bank personnel.
Definite articles are not used with countries, states, counties or provinces, lakes and mountains except when the country is a collection of states such as "The United States".
He lives in Washington near Mount Rainier.
They live in northern British Columbia.
Definite articles are used with specific bodies of water, oceans and seas.
My country borders on the Pacific Ocean.
Articles are not used when speaking about things in general. When speaking in general, use the plural form for count nouns, and the singular with non count nouns.
Private banking plays no important role in any state-controlled enterprise system.
The start-up costs are high.
Articles are not used when speaking about meals, places, or transport.
He has breakfast at home.
I go to university.
He comes to work by taxi.