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Is a reference to a noun specific or unspecific? The use of a definite or indefinite article informs the reader about such things.

Introduction

When introducing a countable noun, we use an article to indicate whether we are making a specific reference or a general observation.

In a rare concession to oral harmony, the choice of article in English can also depend on vowel or consonant sounds.

The Definite Article

There is only one definite article in English: the word the.

We place a definite article before a noun that the reader is familiar with.

Indefinite Articles

There are two indefinite articles: a and an.

The decision to use a or an depends upon the beginning sound of the word that immediately follows it.

Specifically, if the following word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u) we use an; however, if the word begins with a consonant sound (all other letters), we use a.

Importantly, it is the sound of the following word that matters here, not the letter it begins with.

For example, some words that begin with the letter h are pronounced with a 'hard' h sound (hour, honour). These words are preceded by the article an.

Alternatively, some words that begin with the letter h are pronounced with a 'soft' h sound (horse, hotel). These words are preceded by the article a.

In addition, when referring to an initialism (eg. EMP, UK) we should choose the indefinite article that matches the sound of the initialism when it is read out loud, regardless of what letter it begins with.

Lastly, if there is an adjective between an indefinite article and a noun, we should match the article to the sound that the following adjective begins with, rather than the noun to which it refers.

If there is any doubt about which indefinite article to use, as always, it is best to read the sentence out loud.

If we cough slightly when saying a word that follows a, we should probably use an instead.

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