Articles Definition

A, AN, and THE are called articles. They go with nouns to show whether a noun is specific and identifiable or general, and can show whether the noun is singular. The indefinite article can be used when a noun is referred to for the first time, after which the definite article can be used to show that the focus of the text is the noun referred to in the first mention.

THE is the Definite Article

A and AN are both used for the Indefinite Article

"The boy" refers to a definite, particular boy, but "A boy" refers to no particular boy; it could be any boy.

When no article is used, it is sometimes referred to as the Zero Article.

Articles belong to a group of words which are known as Determiners; they restrict or specify a noun in some way.