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In English, the two indefinite articles are a and an.
Like other articles, indefinite articles are invariable. You use one or the other, depending on the first letter of the word following the article, for pronunciation reasons. Use a when the next word starts with a consonant, or before words starting in u and eu when they sound like you.
=> Use “AN” when the next word starts with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or with a mute h .
See the below EXAMPLES =>
a boy
an apple
a year
a helicopter
an elephant
a big elephant
an itchy sweater
an ugly duck
a european
a university
a unit
an hour
an honor
an heir
an honest man
Rules=>
The indefinite article is used to refer to something for the first time or to refer to a particular member of a group or class. Some use cases and examples are given below.
Rule=> Use “A” to refer to something for the first time.
EXAMPLES =>
Would you like a drink?
I’ve finally got a good job .
An elephant and a mouse fell in love.
Rule=> NAMING MEMBERS OF A GROUP
Use “A” with names of jobs.
EXAMPLES =>
John is a doctor.
Mary is training to be an engineer.
He wants to be a dancer.
Rule=> Use “A” with nationalities and religions in the singular.
EXAMPLES =>
John is an Englishman.
Kate is a Catholic.
Rule=> Use “A” with the names of days of the week when not referring to any particular day.
EXAMPLES =>
I was born on a Thursday .
Could I come over on a Saturday sometime?
Rule=> Use “A” to refer to an example of something.
EXAMPLES =>
The mouse had a tiny nose .
The elephant had a long trunk .
It was a very strange car .
Rule=> Use a with singular nouns after the words ‘what’ and ‘such’.
EXAMPLES =>
What a shame !
She’s such a beautiful girl .
What a lovely day !
Rule=>
Use a meaning ‘one’, referring to a single object or person, or a single unit of measure. In these sentences using “one” instead of the indefinite article is grammatically correct. It will add emphasis to the number, and contrast with other numbers.
EXAMPLES =>
I’d like an orange and two lemons please.
I’d like one orange and two lemons please.
The burglar took a diamond necklace and some valuable paintings.
I can think of a hundred reasons not to come.
I need a kilogram of sugar.
I need one kilogram of sugar.
You can’t run a mile in 5 minutes!
