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A & An (Indefinite Articles)

Use with singular countable nouns when referring to something non-specific or for the first time

What are A and An?

"A" and "an" are indefinite articles used before singular countable nouns when we're talking about something non-specific or mentioning it for the first time. "A" is used before consonant sounds, "an" before vowel sounds.

Compare: "I saw a dog" (any dog, not a specific one) vs. "I saw the dog" (a specific dog we both know about).

When to Use A/AN

First Mention (Introducing Something New)

Examples

  • I saw a movie last night. (first mention)
  • She bought a new car.
  • There's an email for you.
  • We need a solution to this problem.
  • He's reading a book about history.
  • I have an idea!

Any One (Not a Specific One)

Examples

  • Can I borrow a pen? (any pen, doesn't matter which)
  • I need a doctor. (any doctor)
  • Would you like an apple?
  • Let's find a restaurant.
  • I'm looking for a job.

One (Numerical Meaning)

Examples

  • I have a brother. (one brother)
  • She wants a cup of coffee. (one cup)
  • Wait a minute!
  • It costs a dollar.
  • Once upon a time... (one time)

Jobs and Professions

Examples

  • She's a teacher.
  • He's an engineer.
  • I'm a student.
  • My father is a doctor.
  • She wants to be an artist.

Per/Each (Rates and Prices)

Examples

  • 60 miles an hour (per hour)
  • $5 a kilo (per kilo)
  • Three times a day (per day)
  • Twice a week (per week)
  • $20 an hour (per hour)

A vs. AN: The Rule

Use 'A' before consonant SOUNDS

Examples

  • a book, a car, a house, a dog
  • a university (sounds like "yoo-ni-ver-si-ty" - starts with "y" sound)
  • a European country (sounds like "yer-o-pean")
  • a one-way street (sounds like "won" - starts with "w" sound)
  • a user (sounds like "yoo-zer")

Use 'AN' before vowel SOUNDS (a, e, i, o, u)

Examples

  • an apple, an egg, an idea, an orange, an umbrella
  • an hour (silent "h" - sounds like "our")
  • an honest person (silent "h")
  • an FBI agent (sounds like "eff-bee-eye" - starts with "e" sound)
  • an MBA degree (sounds like "em-bee-ay")

Common Exceptions

Silent H (use 'an')

Examples

  • an hour, an honest person, an honor, an heir

Pronounced H (use 'a')

Examples

  • a house, a hotel, a hospital, a history book

U sounds like 'yoo' (use 'a')

Examples

  • a university, a uniform, a European, a useful tool

U sounds like 'uh' (use 'an')

Examples

  • an umbrella, an uncle, an ugly picture, an unusual event

Acronyms (depends on pronunciation)

Examples

  • an FBI agent (eff), an MBA (em), an MP (em)
  • a NASA mission (nah-suh), a UN member (yoo-en)

When NOT to Use A/AN

Common Mistakes

Don't use with:

  • Plural nouns: ❌ a dogs → ✅ dogs or ✅ some dogs
  • Uncountable nouns: ❌ a water → ✅ water or ✅ some water
  • Proper nouns: ❌ a London → ✅ London
  • Possessive adjectives: ❌ a my book → ✅ my book

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ I saw a elephant. → ✅ I saw an elephant. (vowel sound)
  • ❌ She's an teacher. → ✅ She's a teacher. (consonant sound)
  • ❌ I need an university degree. → ✅ I need a university degree. (sounds like "yoo")
  • ❌ It takes a hour. → ✅ It takes an hour. (silent h)
  • ❌ I have a books. → ✅ I have books. (no article with plural)
  • ❌ I want a water. → ✅ I want water. (uncountable)
  • ❌ He's engineer. → ✅ He's an engineer. (need article with jobs)
  • ❌ I need the pen. → ✅ I need a pen. (any pen, not specific)

Practice Tips

Practice Tips

  • 👂 Listen for sound: It's about pronunciation, not spelling! "An hour" (silent h), "a university" (sounds like "yoo").
  • 🔢 Countable check: Can you count it? One book, two books = countable. Use a/an. Water, music = uncountable. No a/an.
  • 🎯 First mention rule: First time mentioning → a/an. Next time → the. "I saw a dog. The dog was cute."
  • 💼 Jobs always need articles: "I'm a teacher" NOT "I'm teacher." Exception: languages - "I speak English" (no article).
  • 📝 Practice acronyms: Say them out loud: FBI = "eff-bee-eye" → an FBI agent. NATO = "nay-toh" → a NATO member.

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