- a/an (the indefinite article)
The form “a” is used before a word beginning with a consonant, or a vowel with a consonant sound:
A Man a University
The form “an” is used before word beginning with a vowel (a, I, u, e, and o) or words beginning with a mute “H”:
An apple an hour
Or individual letters spoken with a vowel sound:
An SOS
a/an is same for all genders:
a Man an actor
- Use of a/an
a/an is used:
- Before a singular noun which is countable when it is mentioned for the first time and represents no particular person thing:
I need a Visa He bought an ice cream
- Before a singular countable noun which is used as an example of a class of things:
A child needs love = all children/any child needs love.
- With a noun complement. This includes names of professions:
He is an actor
- In certain expression of quantity:
A lot of……
- With certain number:
A hundred
- In expressions of price, speed, ratio:
Four time a day
- In exclamations before singular countable noun:
What a pretty girl!
- “a” can be placed before Mr./Mrs./Miss + surname:
A Mr. Smith
- Omission of a/an
a/an is omitted:
- Before plural noun.
A dogs An Egg
- Before uncountable nouns.
- Before names of meals, except when these are preceded by an adjective:
We have breakfast at night
He gave us a good breakfast
The article is also used when it is a special meal given to celebrate something or in someone’s honour:
I was invited to dinner (at their house, in the ordinary way) but I was invited to a dinner given welcome the new ambassador.
