The Definite and Indefinite Articles

The indefinite articles – A or An

There is an apple on the table.

There is a book on the table.

We use a with words that start with a consonant: A book

We use an with words that start with vowels (a,e,i,o,u): An apple

The definite article – The

Can you give me the red apple(s)?

We use the indefinite article when we don’t refer to a specific thing:

I’d like an apple.

We use the definite article when we refer to a specific thing or things.

A: I’d like an apple.

B: Which one?

A: I’d like the red one.

We use the indefinite article when we talk about something for the first time.

I live in a house.

We use the definite article when we talk about something for the second, third, fourth etc. time.

I live a house. The house is very big.