What Is the Indefinite Article? (with Examples)
The indefinite article is the word a (or an when it helps pronunciation). It is used before a noun to describe it as something non-specific.
There are two types of articles:
· The Definite Article (the)
· The Indefinite Article (a and an).
Articles are adjectives.
A (or an) is known as the indefinite article because it indicates something non-specific.
In contrast to the indefinite article is the definite article (the), which sits before a noun to specify it as something previously considered (i.e., something specific).
Examples of the Indefinite Article
These sentences compare the use of indefinite and definite articles:
· Pass me a hammer.
(The hammer is non-specific; i.e., any hammer will do.)
· Pass me the hammer.
(The hammer is specific. It's the hammer known to the speaker and the listener; e.g., the one they've just been using.)
· I need a chair.
(any chair)
· I need the chair.
(a specific chair)
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