Indefinite Articles: "a" and "an"
In English, articles are words that come before nouns. The indefinite articles, "a" and "an," are used to refer to a noun in a general or non-specific way.
The Basic Rule: Sound Matters
The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the initial sound of the word that follows, not the spelling.
| Rule | Examples |
|---|---|
| Use ‘a’ before words that begin with a consonant sound. | a cat, a book, a big apple |
| Use ‘an’ before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). | an apple, an elephant, an interesting idea |
Watch Out for Tricky Words!
- university: Starts with a "y" sound (consonant), so we use "a". → a university
- hour: The "h" is silent, so it starts with a vowel sound. → an hour
- honest: The "h" is silent, so it starts with a vowel sound. → an honest person
- European: Starts with a "y" sound, so we use "a". → a European country
- one-time: Starts with a "w" sound, so we use "a". → a one-time offer
Why Do We Use Indefinite Articles?
They have several important functions in a sentence.
- To talk about something for the first time: "I saw a bird."
- To refer to any single member of a group: "A student should be respectful."
- To describe someone's job or role: "He is a doctor."
- To show a quantity of one: "She bought an orange."
When Not to Use Indefinite Articles
It's just as important to know when to leave them out.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| With Uncountable Nouns: Nouns like "water," "advice," "information," and "music" cannot be counted and do not use "a" or "an". | Incorrect: I need an advice. Correct: I need some advice or a piece of advice. |
| With Plural Nouns: "A" and "an" mean one, so they cannot be used with plural nouns. | Incorrect: She has a books. Correct: She has a book or She has books. |
| With Possessive Pronouns: Do not use articles with possessive pronouns like "my," "your," "his," "her," etc. | Incorrect: This is a my car. Correct: This is my car. |
Key Takeaways
- Indefinite articles "a" and "an" refer to a non-specific noun.
- The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound, not the spelling, of the next word.
- Use "a" before consonant sounds and "an" before vowel sounds.
- Do not use indefinite articles with plural or uncountable nouns.
Exercises and Worksheets
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