A vs. An: Mastering the Basics of English Articles

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When speaking or writing in English, you will notice that there are two forms of the indefinite article, ‘a’ and ‘an’. But when should you use each? In this reference, you will explore the key takeaways and definitions of ‘a’ vs. ‘an’, discover 13 rules for using indefinite articles, and find examples of each in sentences.

By the end of this reference, you will be confident in choosing whether to use ‘a’ or ‘an’ in your spoken and written English. Additionally, exercises and frequently asked questions will help reinforce your understanding of these useful grammar rules. Learn how to use indefinite articles correctly with clear examples and practical tips.

Key Takeaways

Use ‘a’ before words that begin with a consonant sound. Examples: a cat, a game, or a university (university starts with a ‘y’ sound, which is a consonant).
Use ‘an’ before words that begin with a vowel sound. Examples: an apple, an honor, an hour (honor and hour start with a silent ‘h’, making the first sound a vowel ‘o’).

A or An: Understanding the Basic

A vs. An

Defining ‘A’ vs. ‘An’

The words a and an are called indefinite articles. Use them with singular nouns to talk about any one person or thing. The choice between a and an depends on the initial sound of the word, not the first letter.

Using ‘A’ vs. ‘An’

When to Use ‘A’

‘A’ is used before words starting with a consonant sound. Examples:

When to Use ‘An’

‘An’ is used before words starting with a vowel sound. The first sound should be a, e, i, o, or u. Examples:

A or An

An apple
An egg
An island
An article
An umbrella
An hour

13 Rules for Using Indefinite Articles: A vs. An

Rule #1:
Use A before words that begin with a vowel sound that resembles ‘y’ or ‘w’. Examples:

A Euro
A unicycle
A union
A unique
A united
A university
A user
A unicorn

Rule #2:
Use An before words starting with a silent ‘h’. Examples:

An hour
An honor
An heir
An heirloom
An hourly
An honorarium
An honesty
An honorary

When the ‘h’ is pronounced, use A:

A hamburger
A hall
A hat
A hacksaw
A horse
A house

Rule #3:
Use An before abbreviations that begin with a vowel sound. Examples:

An M.A.
An M.Sc.
An M.B.B.S.
An M.L.A.
An N.C.C Officer
An M.Com.
An M.C.A
An M.B.A

Rule #4:
Use A or an before a singular noun representing countable objects. Examples:

He was sitting in a chair.
She had a bottle in each hand.
Did you bring an umbrella?
I would like an apple.

Rule #5:
Use A or an before the names of professions. Examples:

Rule #6:
Words like hero, genius, fool, thief, and liar take the indefinite article. Examples:

Rule #7:
Such + a/an + noun or Such + a/an + adjective + noun takes an indefinite article. Examples:

Rule #8:
Use so + adjective + a/an + noun. Examples:

Rule #9:
Few and Little are negative. A few and a little are positive and mean ‘some’. Examples:

He is young and has little experience of life.
Sweeten the mixture with a little honey.
He had few coppers in his pocket.
I went to spend a few days at the seaside.

Rule #10:
In its original numerical sense of one. Examples:

Not a word was said.
Twelve inches make a foot.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I have a novel with an intricate plot.

Rule #11:
A and an = one thing or person. Examples:

She works in a hospital.
There’s a problem with the drains.
I’ve got a puppy.
There was a girl sitting next to him.

Rule #12:
Use a and an when you say what a thing or a person is. Examples:

“Coca Cola” is a beverage.
Badminton is an indoor game.
A dog is a domestic animal.
Mary is a shy girl.

Rule #13:
Use a and an for jobs, etc. Examples:

She works as a nurse in a hospital.
John is a fireman.
I want to be a doctor.
She is a cashier in a bank.

Note: The indefinite articles aren’t used before plural nouns, proper nouns, abstract nouns, uncountable and material nouns. Examples:

Rules for Using Indefinite Articles

A dog is a faithful animal.
Dogs are faithful animals.

A or An: Examples in Sentences

Examples of “A” in Sentences

She adopted a dog from the shelter.
He is a university professor.
It’s a one-time offer.
She took a European vacation last summer.
I saw a unicorn in my dream.

Examples of “An” in Sentences

She ate an apple for lunch.
It was an honor to meet the author.
He has an MBA from Harvard.
They found an old coin in the garden.
I need an hour to finish this task.

Exercises to Learn the Difference

Decide if the usage of “a” or “an” is correct.

She has a unique perspective on the matter.
Correct: True
It’s an honor to meet you.
Correct: True
He is a honest man.
Correct: False (Correct usage: an honest man)
I need an umbrella because it’s raining. Correct: True
That’s an interesting idea.
Correct: True
I saw a elephant at the zoo.
Correct: False (Correct usage: an elephant)
She made an mistake in the calculation.
Correct: False (Correct usage: a mistake)
It takes a hour to get there by train.
Correct: False (Correct usage: an hour)
He gave me a apple from his garden.
Correct: False (Correct usage: an apple)
It was an historic event for the company.
Correct: True (Both “a historic” and “an historic” are used, depending on whether the “h” is pronounced or not.)

An experienced English grammar teacher since 2015, with a dedication to helping students improve their language skills.