ELA21.3.36a

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 3

The articles a, an, and the come before a noun to show if it's specific or general.
The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns.
A and an are used to refer to a non-specific, general noun.
A is generally used before nouns that start with a consonant sound.
An is generally used before nouns that start with a vowel sound.

Articles are a part of speech that can come before a noun to indicate if the noun is specific (Bring me the book) or general (Bring me a book.)
A is usually used before nouns that start with a consonant sound, while an is usually used before words that start with a vowel sound.