Articles are words used to specify nouns and indicate whether the noun refers to something specific or nonspecific. In English, there are three articles: "a," "an," and "the."
"A" and "an" are indefinite articles used before singular nouns to refer to any one of a group of similar items. "A" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., "a dog"), while "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., "an apple").
"The" is the definite article used before singular or plural nouns to refer to a specific person, place, thing, or idea that is already known or has been previously mentioned (e.g., "the book," "the cat").
Articles are important for indicating specificity and clarity in writing, helping readers understand whether a noun is referring to something particular or general.