Indefinite Articles – A or An
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.
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
- …
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
- An hour
A vs An | 13 Rules for Using Indefinite Articles
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.
