Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...
- a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog
- an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan
- a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle
What words are in transition?
What does "ahistorical" mean?
What words begin with a consonant sound?
Is "historical" preceded by "an"?
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Indefinite Articles: A and An | Grammarly
There once was a sheep.. Since I don’t know which sheep it was—that is, I don’t know its name, where it’s from, or anything about it—I can’t say the sheep.. How to use the indefinite articles a vs. an. The two indefinite articles in English are a and an.The indefinite article an is used to make pronunciation easier when reading a text aloud.
A vs. An Indefinite Articles | ENGLISH PAGE
USE 5. Use A before words such as "European" or "university" which sound like they start with a consonant even if the first letter is a vowel. Also use A before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a consonant, such as "U", "J", "1" or "9". Remember, it is the sound not the spelling which is important. For example, "1" is spelled O-N-E; however, it is pronounced "won" like it ...
What words are in transition?
A few words, such as historic and (especially in England) hotel, are in transition, and may be found with either a or an. You choose the article that best suits your own pronunciation.
What does "ahistorical" mean?
Just remember that 'ahistorical' means something else entirely. The rule that many people vaguely remember is that one uses a if the word that follows it begins with a consonant, and one uses an if the following word begins with a vowel. That would be so easy, wouldn’t it?
What words begin with a consonant sound?
If the word begins with a consonant sound you would use a, such as "a dog" and "a balloon," as well as "a one" and "a unicorn.". If the word begins with a vowel sound, use an, such as in "an honorable man," and with spoken acronyms like "an FBI agent.". Words like historic, with a pronounced "H," can use either a or an.
Is "historical" preceded by "an"?
One such rule is the one concerning whether to use a or an as an indefinite article (“the word a or an used in English to refer to a person or thing that is not identified or specified”). Some people feel strongly that words like 'historic' and 'historical' should be preceded by 'an', not 'a'.
What is an a + noun?
an + nouns starting with silent "h": an hour. a + nouns starting with a pronounced "h": a horse. In some cases where "h" is pronounced, such as "historical," you can use an. However, a is more commonly used and preferred. A historical event is worth recording. Remember that these rules also apply when you use acronyms:
What is an article?
What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.
What is ICaP in writing?
Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP) handles first-year writing at the University. Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses issues concerning English 106 instructors.
What is a singular noun beginning with a consonant?
Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So... a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog. an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan.
What are some nouns that don't take an article?
Some common types of nouns that don't take an article are: Names of languages and nationalities: Chinese, English, Spanish, Russian (unless you are referring to the population of the nation: " The Spanish are known for their warm hospitality.") Names of sports: volleyball, hockey, baseball.
When to use definite article?
The definite article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular. The signals that the noun is definite, that it refers to a particular member of a group. For example:
What does "let's read a book" mean?
For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book.
What does the n mean in "an"?from grammar.com
An. The 'n' makes the pronunciation easier, which is the origin of "an" vs. "a".
How does the rule work?from grammar.com
Here’s the secret to making the rule work: The rule applies to the sound of the letter beginning the word, not just the letter itself. The way we say the word will determine whether or not we use a or an. If the word begins with a vowel sound, you must use an. If it begins with a consonant sound, you must use a.
What words begin with a consonant sound?from merriam-webster.com
If the word begins with a consonant sound you would use a, such as "a dog" and "a balloon," as well as "a one" and "a unicorn.". If the word begins with a vowel sound, use an, such as in "an honorable man," and with spoken acronyms like "an FBI agent.". Words like historic, with a pronounced "H," can use either a or an.
What words are in transition?from merriam-webster.com
A few words, such as historic and (especially in England) hotel, are in transition, and may be found with either a or an. You choose the article that best suits your own pronunciation.
Is "historical" preceded by "an"?from merriam-webster.com
One such rule is the one concerning whether to use a or an as an indefinite article (“the word a or an used in English to refer to a person or thing that is not identified or specified”). Some people feel strongly that words like 'historic' and 'historical' should be preceded by 'an', not 'a'.
What does "a/an" mean before a noun?
A/an before a noun shows that what is referred to is not already known to the speaker, listener, writer and/or reader (it is the indefinite article):
What does "before" mean in a noun?
The before a noun shows that what is referred to is already known to the speaker, listener, writer and/or reader (it is the definite article):
How to make a general noun specific?
We can make general nouns specific by using an article and adding more information after the noun.
Why do we use the word "sun"?
We use the with things known to everyone (the sun, the stars, the moon, the earth, the planet) because they are a part of our physical environment or part of the natural world: The earth moves around the sun. We lay on the grass and watched the stars.
When to use "in stories" or "in informal speaking"?
In informal speaking, we can use that as an alternative to the in stories when we refer to something familiar or known to the listener. That highlights the fact that the thing being referred to is known to the speaker and listener:
What does "in hospital" mean?
She didn’t want to be in hospital but she was too ill to go home. ( in hospital means being there as a patient)
What does the n mean in "an"?
An. The 'n' makes the pronunciation easier, which is the origin of "an" vs. "a".
How does the rule work?
Here’s the secret to making the rule work: The rule applies to the sound of the letter beginning the word, not just the letter itself. The way we say the word will determine whether or not we use a or an. If the word begins with a vowel sound, you must use an. If it begins with a consonant sound, you must use a.
When to use "a" in a sentence?
1 Use a when the indefinite article comes before a word beginning with a consonant sound: a toy a book a house
What are the two indefinite articles?
The two indefinite articles in English are a and an . The indefinite article an is used to make pronunciation easier when reading a text aloud. The general rule is to use a when the indefinite article precedes a word beginning with a consonant sound and an when it precedes a word starting with a vowel sound.
Do all nouns begin with a consonant?
It’s important to note that not all nouns that begin with a consonant begin with the consonant sound. Always trust the sound, not the letter when applying the a vs. an rule. Remember, it’s about pronunciation. Consider the examples below:
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What is an article?
Articles are a type of determiner. They function like adjectives, as they modify the noun in the sentence. The only articles in English are ‘the’ and ‘a/an’. Yet, the tricky part is that we use them differently – and sometimes not at all.
Practice
Now you know the grammar, here’s a short test for you to test your knowledge. Find the answers at the end of the blog – don’t peek!
More grammar lessons
Congratulations – now you’re an articles expert! But it doesn’t have to stop here. We’ve got plenty more grammar lessons for you to check out. Try these:
Glossary for Language Learners
Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.
When to use A/An?
A/An are used before singular countable nouns when they are indefinite and introduced for the first time.
When to use "an" or "an"?
A/an are used before indefinite singular countable nouns. (Example): I have a car. This is an orange. He sang a song. Ram is a student. An is used only before vowel sounds. Remember ‘a,e,i,o,u’ do not necessarily produce vowel sound. If the word starts not with vowel sound but with consonant sound, article ‘A’ is used.
Where are articles used?
She is _____ excellent. (Here no article will be used because there is no noun after excellent. An article needs a noun in absence of which, we cannot use any article,
What is the difference between "a" and "an"?
Use of Definite Article The. Articles a, an, the use PDF. ‘A’, ‘An’, ‘The’ are called Articles. ‘A’ and ‘An‘ are called Indefinite Articles while ‘The’ is called Definite Article. A/An are used before singular countable nouns when they are indefinite and introduced for the first time. 1.
What is the boy standing near the gate?
The boy standing near the gate is my brother. In the above sentence, ‘The’ is used to be specific about the noun we are talking about.
Is "A/An" a noun?
A/An is not used with uncountable noun.
Is "article" before or after an adverb?
If an ‘adverb’ qualifies the ‘adjective’ qualifying ‘noun’, the ‘article’ comes before the ‘adverb’.
What does "he has experience" mean?
He has experience. (if indefinite or mentioned for the first time) He has the experience necessary for the job. (if definite or mentioned before) The medicine the doctor prescribed had unpleasant side effects. Writing in a second language is especially challenging.
Which countries are preceded by "the"?
Some countries are preceded by "the", usually if the name is plural, contains an adjective, or includes "of". The United States. The Soviet Union. The Republic of Congo. America.
What words are in transition?
A few words, such as historic and (especially in England) hotel, are in transition, and may be found with either a or an. You choose the article that best suits your own pronunciation.
What does "ahistorical" mean?
Just remember that 'ahistorical' means something else entirely. The rule that many people vaguely remember is that one uses a if the word that follows it begins with a consonant, and one uses an if the following word begins with a vowel. That would be so easy, wouldn’t it?
What words begin with a consonant sound?
If the word begins with a consonant sound you would use a, such as "a dog" and "a balloon," as well as "a one" and "a unicorn.". If the word begins with a vowel sound, use an, such as in "an honorable man," and with spoken acronyms like "an FBI agent.". Words like historic, with a pronounced "H," can use either a or an.
Is "historical" preceded by "an"?
One such rule is the one concerning whether to use a or an as an indefinite article (“the word a or an used in English to refer to a person or thing that is not identified or specified”). Some people feel strongly that words like 'historic' and 'historical' should be preceded by 'an', not 'a'.
