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.).
A call to the customer service desk will confirm your available balance.
If you use a credit card, they'll check your available balance.
An
'An' is an indefinite article used with nouns or adjectives beginning with a vowel (a,e, i, o, u).
The debtor will be granted an escrow account.
She was charged an account fee because of her debtor history.
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
Tom cashed a certified check.
A call to the customer service desk will confirm your available balance.
The - Usage
Use definite articles with specific objects that are recognizeed by both the speaker and the audience.
Placing the deposit in escrow protects both the buyer and seller.
The value of the order isn't equal to the cost of the goods sold.
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.
I have deferred revenue from my funds.
Production costs are not very 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.