The English definite article is '''''the''''', and the two indefinite articles are '''''a''''' and '''''an'''''. "A" is used before words beginning with a [[consonant]], "an" before words beginning with a [[vowel]]. This distinction is [[phonology|phonological]] — based on the following word as pronounced, not as written; compare, ''e.g.'', "an honor" with "a union". | The English definite article is '''''the''''', and the two indefinite articles are '''''a''''' and '''''an'''''. "A" is used before words beginning with a [[consonant]], "an" before words beginning with a [[vowel]]. This distinction is [[phonology|phonological]] — based on the following word as pronounced, not as written; compare, ''e.g.'', "an honor" with "a union". |