Use of A/An

USE OF A/AN

We use A before a consonant and AN before a vowel,But you have to take into account that it just depends on the pronunciation but not in the way the words are written. So you can see below a pronunciation chart so that you can have a reference.

Examples:

   A                                                                     AN

A hat / ɑː hæt/                                             An hour /ɑːn aʊə/

A union /ɑːˈjuːnjən/                                   An orange /ɑːn ˈɒrɪndʒ/

A dog /ɑː dɒɡ/                                              An uncle /ɑːn ˈʌŋkəl/

Coming up next we will see these rules in-depth:

A:

The articale A is used before a singular and countable noun that begins with consonant sounds, for example:

• He is a teacher.
• She doesn't own a car.
• I saw a snake at the zoo.

AN:



The article AN is used before singular and countable nouns that begin with a sound vowel, for example:

• She is an actress. 
• She didn't get an invitation. 
• I saw an eagle at the zoo. 

Practice:

1. __elephant

an

a

2. __university

an

a

3. __umbrella

an

a

4. __ticket

a

an

5. __European

an

a

6. __ exam

an

a

Remember!!!:

1.L The articles A and AN means "one" or "only one", therefore it can not be used with plural nouns.

• I saw an elephants in  the National zoo. Incorrect
• I saw elephants in the National zoo. Correct

2.  Some nouns are uncountables such as: information(información),sal(sal),bread(pan),advice(consejo),etc..;So They must not be together with A or AN.But instead you have to use special connectors such as:some,any, piece of, etc., examples:

• She gives a good advice. Incorrect
• She gives good advice. Correct