A vs The
'The' and 'a' or 'an', are words that we know as 'articles'. An article always is used with a noun to indicate the type of reference being made by the noun. We can divide them in two categories: Definite and Indefinite.
Articles
Definite Indefinite
the a, an
The definite article 'the' is used when you are talking about something in particular.
The indefinite article 'a' and 'an' (when the noun begins with vowel) are used when you are talking about something in general.
For example, you go to a library and you say: "I need a book". It means, one of a lot of possible books you can read. But if you know exactly what is the book you need, surely you will say: "I need the book what you read yesterday".
Of course, often we can use the or a/an for the same word. It depends on the situation, not the word. Look at these examples:
• We want to buy an umbrella. (Any umbrella, not a particular umbrella.)
• Where is the umbrella? (We already have an umbrella. We are looking for our umbrella, a particular umbrella.)
Look at the following example taken of a Grammar webpage:
This little story should help you understand the difference between the and a, an:
"A man and a woman were walking in Oxford Street. The woman saw a dress that she liked in a shop. She asked the man if he could buy the dress for her. He said: "Do you think the shop will accept a cheque? I don't have a credit card."
Articles
Definite Indefinite
the a, an
The definite article 'the' is used when you are talking about something in particular.
The indefinite article 'a' and 'an' (when the noun begins with vowel) are used when you are talking about something in general.
For example, you go to a library and you say: "I need a book". It means, one of a lot of possible books you can read. But if you know exactly what is the book you need, surely you will say: "I need the book what you read yesterday".
Of course, often we can use the or a/an for the same word. It depends on the situation, not the word. Look at these examples:
• We want to buy an umbrella. (Any umbrella, not a particular umbrella.)
• Where is the umbrella? (We already have an umbrella. We are looking for our umbrella, a particular umbrella.)
Look at the following example taken of a Grammar webpage:
This little story should help you understand the difference between the and a, an:
"A man and a woman were walking in Oxford Street. The woman saw a dress that she liked in a shop. She asked the man if he could buy the dress for her. He said: "Do you think the shop will accept a cheque? I don't have a credit card."