Indefinite Articles: A and An – Rules, Examples & Exercises

Articles A and An Exercises (A1 Level)

These exercises focus on articles and their usage.

TLDR

✔️ "A" before consonant sounds (a dog, a teacher, a book)
✔️ "An" before vowel sounds (an egg, an umbrella, an hour)

Illustration of Indefinite Articles: A and An

What Are Articles in English Grammar?

Articles are small words that come before nouns. In English, there are two types:

1️⃣ Indefinite Articles → "a" and "an" (used for general, non-specific things)
2️⃣ Definite Article → "the" (used for specific things)

When to Use "A" and "An"?

Article	Use Before	Examples
A	Words that start with a consonant sound	a dog, a book, a house, a university
An	Words that start with a vowel sound (A, E, I, O, U)	an apple, an egg, an umbrella, an hour

📌 Tip: It’s about sound, NOT spelling!
✔ A university (because "university" starts with a "yoo" sound, like "you")
✔ An hour (because "hour" starts with a silent "h," so it sounds like "our")

A vs. An – Common Mistakes

Mistake	Incorrect	Correct
Before a vowel sound	a orange ❌	an orange ✅
Before a consonant sound	an cat ❌	a cat ✅
Silent "h" words	a hour ❌	an hour ✅
"U" sound like "you"	an university ❌	a university ✅

📌 Rule: Always listen to the first sound of the word, not just the letter!

You may also find learning about Definite Article The. Also bear in mind that nouns can be countable and uncountable which influences the usage of articles as well.

FAQ: Common Questions About "A" and "An"

What is an article in grammar?

➡️ An article is a word ("a," "an," or "the") used before a noun to show if it is specific or general.

What is the difference between "a" and "an"?

➡️ "A" is used before consonant sounds (a book), and "an" is used before vowel sounds (an apple).

Is it "a hotel" or "an hotel"?

➡️ A hotel ✅ (Because "hotel" starts with an "h" sound)

Is it "a university" or "an university"?

➡️ A university ✅ (Because "university" starts with a "yoo" sound, not a vowel sound)

Can I use "an" before an "h" word?

➡️ Only if the "h" is silent → "an hour" ✅ but "a house" ✅