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An '''article''' in [[grammar]] is a [[morpheme]], such as an [[adjective]] or an [[affix]], which determines the scope of the described noun. Use of a '''definite''' or '''indefinite''' article indicates that the noun to which the article refers identifies a specific, already explicitly or inherently identified, referent (in which case the article is a definite article) or that it does not (an indefinite article).  Some languages, such as [[Russian]], lack articles.

An '''article''' in [[grammar]] is a [[morpheme]], such as an [[adjective]] or an [[affix]], which determines the scope of the described noun. Use of a '''definite''' or '''indefinite''' article indicates that the noun to which the article refers identifies a specific, already explicitly or inherently identified, referent (in which case the article is a definite article) or that it does not (an indefinite article).  Some languages, such as [[Russian language|Russian]], lack articles.

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".