They are used before a noun to defined them as something non-specific.
The indefinite articles are used to refer to something for the first time or to refer to a particular member of a group or class.
The Indefinite Articles Examples
| a + consonant (b, d, f, g, h, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, z) | an + vowel (a, e, i, o, u) |
|---|---|
| I have a router | I have an orange |
| I have a glass | I have an onion |
| I see a man | I have an apple |
| I see a house | I have an iron |
Specific cases
Some nouns begin with a consonant but they do not begin with a consonant sound.
When applying a or an trust the sound, not the letter.
Incorrect: a hourglass
Correct: an hourglass
Incorrect: a honor
Correct: an honorHour starts with "h", but it is silent, so the first sound is a vowel.
Some nouns begin with a vowel, but make a consonant sound.
Some nouns begin with a vowel, but make a consonant sound.
Incorrect: an university
Correct: a universityUniversity starts with "u", but it is pronounced as if it begins with the consonant "y".
Incorrect: an one-eyed pirate
Correct: a one-eyed pirate
When spoken, the word "one" sounds as if it begins with "w".
This rule applies also to acronyms.
Consonants with vowel sounds are: f, h, l, m, n, r, s and x.
an SST, an SOW
Vowels with consonant sounds a U-turn
Exercises - The Indefinite Article: A/AN
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1) An A cake
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2) I use the an a knife.
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3) A An lemon
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4) She has a an the old car.
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5) A An zoo
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6) A An uncle
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7) My mom sees a the an hotel.
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8) Do you have the an a brother?
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9) A An ice-cream
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10) They build an a the house.