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Master English Grammar

Indefinite Articles (a and an)

Learn how to use the indefinite articles a and an correctly in sentences to talk about general things, people, and places with confidence and clarity.

What Are Indefinite Articles?

Indefinite articles are small words we use before singular nouns when we are talking about any one of something, not a specific thing. In English, there are two indefinite articles: a and an

Key Points

  • Use a before words that start with a consonant sound.
    • Example: a cat, a book, a car
  • Use an before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
    • Example: an apple, an elephant, an idea

Why Are Indefinite Articles Important?

They help us talk about something for the first time or something that is not specific.

  • I saw a dog in the park. (We don’t know which dog.)
  • She wants an orange. (It could be any orange.)

✅ Positive Sentences:

Use a or an to talk about one general thing, person, or place.

  • She has a cat.
  • I saw an elephant at the zoo.

🚫 Negative Sentences:

When saying that something doesn't exist or isn't happening, you still use a or an before singular nouns.

  • I don’t have a pen.
  • She didn’t see an owl in the tree.

❓ Questions:

When asking about one thing, use a or an.

  • Do you have a pencil?
  • Is there an orange in the basket?

Rules for Using 'a' and 'an'

  • Use a before words that start with a consonant sound

    • a dog
    • a house
    • a car

  • Use an before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u)

    • an apple
    • an elephant
    • an idea

  • Special Cases & Exceptions:

    By listening to the sound, not just looking at the letter, you’ll always know when to use a and an correctly.

  • Words that begin with a vowel letter but sound like a consonant

    • a university (sounds like “you-niversity”)
    • a European country (sounds like “you-ropean”)
    • a uniform (sounds like “you-niform”)

  • Words that begin with a consonant letter but sound like a vowel

    • an hour (silent “h,” sounds like it starts with a vowel)
    • an honest person (silent “h”)
    • an honor (silent “h”)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the creators of these videos. These are publicly available resources used to provide additional information on the topic.