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a, an, the — and the fourth choice nobody tells you about: nothing at all.

First page · what it is and what shape it takes

The forms

Condition	Form	Example
You name it for the first time — one of many	a / an	I have a question.
Any one will do, it does not matter which	a / an	I need a pen.
It is a job, a role, what someone IS	a / an	She is an architect.
You both already know which one	the	The jacket was expensive.
There is only one of it, here or in the world	the	Close the door.
What follows narrows it down to one	the	the man who called you
Plural, meant in general	nothing	I like dogs.
Uncountable, meant in general	nothing	Water is life.
Language, country, meal, by + transport	nothing	She speaks Spanish.

: . , . — , , — : .

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: / , . , , .

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·
	Singular		Plural	When?
Noun type	First mention	Already known	Plural	The reason
Countable, consonant sound	a book	the book	the books / books	a = one of many · the = we both know which
Countable, vowel sound	an apple	the apple	the apples / apples	an before a vowel SOUND, not a vowel letter
Uncountable	— water	the water	(no plural)	no a/an ever: water, advice, information
Proper name	— Anna	— Anna	—	names, cities and most countries take nothing
Job or role	a teacher	the teacher	teachers	English always marks a job: never «I am teacher»

Golden rule

: . . — — , "" . , .

. , : , , , + , .

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