INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A AND AN

INDEFINITE ARTICLES: A AND AN

By: Nancy Guerra

A and An

Indefinite articles are used when we are referring to an unspecified thing or quantity.

We use them when we don’t know (or don’t care) which thing we’re talking about.

How to Use the Indefinite Articles A vs. An

The general rule is to use a when the indefinite article precedes a word beginning with a consonant sound and an when it precedes a word starting with a vowel sound.

Use a when the indefinite article comes before a word beginning with a consonant sound:

A doctor

A dog

A bottle 

A mouse

Use an when the indefinite article comes before a word beginning with a vowel sound:

An apple 

An idea 

An operation 

An orange

Let's practice!

Write a or an according to each case, remember the rules and do your best!