Indefinite Articles: A and An
In English, we use two small words called indefinite articles to talk about singular nouns: a and an. These words are important because they help us talk about one thing.
Articles A and An - Exercises and Quiz
These exercises focus on articles and their usage
What Are A and An?
Both a and an mean "one" of something, but we use them in different situations. Here’s how to know which one to use:
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A: Use a before words that start with a consonant sound.
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Example: a book, a car, a dog
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An: Use an before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
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Example: an apple, an elephant, an umbrella
Basic Rules for Using A and An
|
Use A Before: |
Use An Before: |
|
Words that start with a consonant: |
Words that start with a vowel: |
|
a cat |
an orange |
|
a house |
an egg |
|
a pencil |
an idea |
|
a ball |
an hour (silent "h") |
How to Choose Between A and An
To decide if you should use a or an, listen to the sound of the word, especially the first letter.
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A: If the word starts with a consonant sound (b, c, d, etc.), use a.
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Example: I have a pen.
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An: If the word starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u), use an.
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Example: She ate an ice cream.
Common Examples
|
Word |
Correct Article |
Example Sentence |
|
Dog |
a |
This is a dog. |
|
Apple |
an |
I see an apple. |
|
Car |
a |
He drives a car. |
|
Elephant |
an |
We saw an elephant. |
|
Chair |
a |
She sat on a chair. |
|
Egg |
an |
I ate an egg for breakfast. |
Special Cases to Remember
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Silent "H": If a word starts with a silent "h" (you don’t hear the "h"), use an.
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Example: an hour (the "h" is silent, so it sounds like "our").
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Words with "U" and "O" Sounds:
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Use a when "u" sounds like "you".
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Example: a university, a uniform.
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Use an when "u" sounds like "uh" or "o" sounds like "oh".
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Example: an umbrella, an honor (silent "h").
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
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Using the wrong article with vowel sounds:
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Incorrect: I see a elephant.
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Correct: I see an elephant.
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Forgetting the rule for silent "h":
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Incorrect: It takes a hour.
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Correct: It takes an hour.
Everyday Practice with A and An
You can use a and an in many sentences when talking about one thing:
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I have a book in my bag.
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She bought an orange from the store.
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There is a cat under the table.
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He wants an ice cream.
FAQ
What’s the difference between "a" and "an"?
A is used before words that start with a consonant sound (like "b" or "c"), and an is used before words that start with a vowel sound (like "a" or "e").
Can I use "a" with "apple"?
No, "apple" starts with a vowel sound, so you need to use an: "an apple."
Why do we say "an hour" but "a house"?
"Hour" has a silent "h", so it starts with a vowel sound, making it "an hour." "House" has a strong "h" sound, so it is "a house."
Do I always use "a" with "university"?
Yes, because "university" starts with a "you" sound, not a vowel sound. So, it’s "a university."
How can I practice using "a" and "an"?
Practice by looking at things around you and saying "a" or "an" before them. For example, "a chair", "an apple", "a computer", "an orange."