HOW TO USE ARTICLE A|AN [ARTICLE LESSON]

HOW TO USE ARTICLE A|AN

What are indefinite articles?

The words a and an are called indefinite articles. We can use them with singular nouns to talk about any single person or thing. Deciding which indefinite article to place in front of a word depends upon the initial sound of the word, not the first letter of the word.

1: WHEN TO USE “A”

‘A’ is used before words beginning with a consonant sound. For example:

A man

A hat

A lamp

A teacher

A cat

A book

2: WHEN TO USE “AN”

The article ‘an’ should be placed before words that begin with a vowel sound. The initial sound should be a, e, i, o, or u. For example:

An apple

An egg

An island

An article

An umbrella

13 RULES FOR USING INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A|AN

Rule #1:

‘A’ must be used before words which begin with a vowel symbol pronounced with the same sound as the ‘y’ or a ‘w’-like sound. For example:

A Euro

A unicycle

A union,

A unique

A united

A university

A user

A unicorn

Rule #2:

Sometimes, ‘an’ is found before words beginning with the letter ‘h’.

Silent ‘h’ : ‘an’ is used before these words. For example:

An hour

An honor

An heir

An heirloom

An hourly

An honorarium

An honesty

An honorary

But this practice is going out. If ‘h’ is pronounced, ‘a’ is used:

A hamburger

A hall

A hat

A hacksaw

A horse

A house

Rule #3:

We use ‘an’ before abbreviations that begin with vowel sound. For example:

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:

A or an must be used before a singular noun standing for things that can be counted. For example:

He was sitting in a chair.

She had a bottle in each hand.

Did you bring an umbrella?

I would like an apple.

Rule #4:

A or an must be used before the names of professions. For example:

She is a director.

Peter is an actor.

Rule #6:

Words like hero, genius, fool, thief, and liar take the indefinite article. For example:

We all regarded him as a hero.

I suspect he is a thief.

Rule #7:

The following word has indefinite article. Such + a/an + noun (or) Such + a/an + adjective + noun. For example:

Such a policy

Such a long trip

Such a great teacher

Such an attractive woman

Rule #8:

The following word has indefinite article. so + adjective + a/an + noun. For example:

So boring a book

So beautiful an actress

Rule #9:

‘Few’ and ‘Little’ are negative meaning. ‘A few’ and ‘a little’ are positive and mean ‘some‘.

For example:

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. For example:

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 an = one thing or person. For example:

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:

We use a an when we say what a thing or a person is. For example:

“Coca Cola” is a beverage.

Badminton is an indoor game.

A dog is a domestic animal.

Mary is a shy girl.

Rule #13:

We use a an for jobs, etc. For example:

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 are not used before plural nouns, proper nouns, abstract nouns, uncountable and material nouns. For example:

A dog is a faithful animal.

Dogs are faithful animals.