We use the indefinite article a (or an) when we are referring to one thing or one person:
Pattern: a / an (adjective) N
a is used before words that start with a consonant sound:
I have a dog. (not I have dog)
Pikes Peak is a mountain in Colorado. (not Pikes Peak is mountain in Colorado)
What a lovely day! (not What lovely day)
I saw a child at the playground. (not I saw child at the playground)
an is used before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u):
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. (not Apple day keeps the doctor away)
I ate an egg for breakfast. (not I ate egg for breakfast)
We saw an orangutan at the zoo. (not We saw orangutan at the zoo)
Mr. Jones is an important man. (“man” does not begin with a vowel sound, but “important” does, so we use “an” here.)
Note: We use “an hour” rather than “a hour” because “hour” starts with a vowel sound – the “h” is silent:
I worked on homework problems for an hour.
Note: Certain words that begin with “u” may use “a” because they start with a consonant sound (/ju/):
I studied at a university after I graduated from high school. (starting sound is /ju/)
We lived in a European country. (starting sound is /ju/)
A computer is a useful tool. (starting sound is /ju/)
But:
Do you have an umbrella? (starting sound is not /ju/, but /˄/)
We also use “a/an” when we are talking about what a person or thing is, a person’s job, occupation, etc.:
Stavanger is a European city.
A cow is a farm animal.
Jack is a tall boy.
Mr. Smith is a doctor.
My father is a banker.
Sally wants to be a musician when she grows up.
I am a student. Actually, I am an English student.
Exercises. Complete the phrases, using a or an.
Example:
______ old hat ==> an old hat
1. ______ interesting book
2. ______ new car
3. ______ bank
4. ______ office
5. ______ exciting movie
6. ______ TV show
7. ______ unusual picture
8. ______ crazy idea
9. ______ big cookie
10. ______ new restaurant
Exercises. Complete the sentences, using a/an and with a word from the list.
Example:
A cat is ______. (mammal) ==> A cat is a mammal.
| book |
drink |
instrument |
picture |
plant |
| dessert |
insect |
mountain |
planet |
river |
1. Mars is ______.
2. A trumpet is ______.
3. Cake is ______.
4. A dictionary is ______.
5. The Nile is ______.
6. The Matterhorn is ______.
7. A tree is ______.
8. A bee is ______.
9. A photograph is ______.
10. Milk is ______.
Exercises. Make a sentence that tells what each person’s job is.
Example:
He’s ______.
==> He’s a dentist.
1. He’s ______.
2. She’s ______.
3. He’s ______.
4. He’s ______.
5. He’s ______.
6. He’s ______.
7. He’s ______.
8. He’s ______.
9. She’s ______.
10. She’s ______.
Exercises. Write sentences, using words or phrases from each set. Use a or an.
Example:
(Mr. and Mrs. Jones are going to have) + (baby). ==> Mr. and Mrs. Jones are going to have a baby.
| Can you play |
Is that |
Mrs. Brown is |
The cat caught |
We flew on |
| I’m going to take |
Let’s order |
The boy scout lit |
The chicken laid |
We went out to see |
| airplane |
exciting book |
instrument |
movie |
shower |
| egg |
fire |
mouse |
pizza |
teacher |
1. _________________________________________________________.
2. _________________________________________________________.
3. _________________________________________________________.
4. _________________________________________________________.
5. _________________________________________________________.
6. _________________________________________________________.
7. _________________________________________________________.
8. _________________________________________________________.
9. _________________________________________________________.
10. _________________________________________________________.
Google
