Indefinite Articles A or An: When to use Which

Main A or An Takeaways:

• Deciding whether to use a or an before a word depends on how the word is pronounced.
• Use a before a word that begins with a consonant sound (a cat, a girl, a boat).
• Use an before a word that begins with a vowel sound (an eagle, an Irish girl, an hour).
• A and an are indefinite articles.
• Indefinite articles reference something that is not defined, like an unspecified/unknown item or quantity.
• Definite articles reference something that is defined, like a specific item, location, or action.

What are the Rules for Using A or An?

The general rule for using a or an is use a for words that begin with a consonant sound but use an for words that begin with a vowel sound. Since the rule applies to the sound of the word’s first letter and not just the letter itself, you can also apply this rule to words that begin with ‘h.’ For instance, if the ‘h’ is silent, use an. If not, use a. Therefore, which indefinite article you use depends entirely on how the article sounds with the word it precedes.

General Rules for A vs. An:

• Use a before a word that begins with a consonant sound.
• Use an before a word that begins with a vowel sound.

Which is Correct A or An?

When deciding whether you should use a or an, say the word out loud. If the word begins with a vowel sound, use an. Conversely, if the word begins with a consonant sound, use a. What’s more, for words that begin with ‘h’, the correct indefinite article will also depend on how the word is pronounced. For example, use a for words where you do pronounce the ‘h’ (a house, a hat). On the other hand, use an for words where the ‘h’ is silent (an hour, an honor). Therefore, using this rule correctly depends on how the word is pronounced.

What is the Difference Between A and An?

Beyond the letter ‘n’, the only difference between a and an is that we use a before words that start with a consonant sound but we use an before words that start with a vowel sound. Functionally, there is no difference between a and an because they are both indefinite articles. But, when to use which depends entirely on how we pronounce the word the indefinite article precedes.

Is it A or An Before H?

Words beginning with ‘h’ don’t follow the rule to use the indefinitely article a with words that begin with consonants. Instead, whether to use a or an before ‘h’ depends on how the word is pronounced. For instance, the ‘h’ is silent in the word hour, so the correct indefinite article to use is an (an hour). Meanwhile, the ‘h’ is not silent in the word hat, so the correct article to us is a. However, be mindful of regional pronunciation differences. For example, people don’t tend to pronounce the ‘h’ in herbal in the U.S. In the U.K., however, they do. These differences in pronunciation may change which article is correct when.

Is it a Hour or An Hour?

The correct way to phrase this is an hour, not a hour. The reason is because the actual sound of the word determines which indefinite article we use, not just the first letter. We typically use a for words that begin with a consonant sound but use an for words that begin with a vowel sound. While ‘h’ is a consonant, the letter is silent in the word hour. In other words, we can treat the ‘h’ like it’s invisible. As a result, the word hour actually begins with the vowel sound ‘o’. Since we use an with words that begin with vowel sounds, an is the correct indefinite article for the word hour.

What is an Indefinite Article Example?

Here are examples of indefinite articles in sentences:

Here are examples of definite articles in sentences:

Why do we say An?

Use the indefinite article an before a spoken vowel sound. We say an when using a would sound less appealing, or make the phrase more difficult to pronounce. Regardless of how the word is actually spelled, you should use an before words that begins with a vowel sound. For this reason, you should write an hour, an heir, or an honor. Even though ‘h’ is technically a consonant, it is silent in these examples. As a result, we pronounce the next letter, which is a vowel sound. Since we us an with vowel sounds, an is the correct indefinite article.

Why we use A and An?

The reason we use a and an depends on how the words sound, not how they are spelled. Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound and use an before words that begin with a vowel sound. If the word begins with an ‘h’ but it’s silent, use an. If the word begins with ‘h’ but it’s pronounced, use a. As you can see, we use an when using a would sound off or make pronunciation more difficult.

What is A/An Called?

A and an are called indefinite articles. There are three articles in total, and they are a, an, and the. They are a type of adjective because they help describe the noun that they precede. While a and an are indefinite articles, the is a definite article. Use a and an to refer to something that is indefinite, or not defined. This might be something less specific or unqualified (a pen, an overcoat). Similarly, use the to refer to something that is definite, or defined. This might be something you previously mentioned or something specific (the pen, the overcoat).

In the above sentence, you know she attended a meeting. You just don’t know what meeting she attended.

Therefore, since the meeting is not defined, we need to use the indefinite article a.

This sentence is not grammatically correct because meeting starts with a consonant sound, not a vowel sound. You can’t use an before the word meeting.

However, in this sentence you know that she attended a specific meeting. The woman attended the meeting, not a meeting. This sentence implies that the audience knows which meeting is referenced.

Since the meeting is defined, we need to use the definite article the.

Here’s an easy sentence to help you remember definite articles:

I definitely need a definite article when I’m sure about something.

There is no doubt when you use definite articles. You know exactly what you’re referencing, and so does your audience. Stick with indefinite articles when you make vague comments or have an audience that doesn’t care about identity.

How do we Determine Indefinite Article A or An?

The best way to determine whether to use a or an is to say the word out loud. For example, if the word begins with a consonant sound (not a vowel sound), then use a. However, if the word begins with a vowel sound, use an. Remember: the sound of the first letter of the word determines which indefinite article to use, not the first letter of the word.

What are Indefinite Articles in English?

In English, there are two types of articles: definite (the) and indefinite (a, an). Use a definite article for things that are clearly and specifically defined. For example, when you’re talking about something specific, use the. Use an indefinite article for things that are not clearly and specifically defined. For instance, when you’re talking about something in general, use a or an depending on which sounds the word begins with.

Here, we’re talking about one of many identical ballots that the person requested. Since were referencing something general and not defined, we should use the indefinite article a.

If the word began with a vowel sound instead of a consonant sound like ‘b’, we’d use the indefinite article an.

In some rare cases, both an indefinite and definite article may make sense, depending on what you are trying to say.

For example, the first sentence uses the indefinite article an. This is correct because I’m not talking about a specific or defined egg sandwich. Rather, I’m talking about one of the many egg sandwiches the restaurant has to order in general. Since I’m referencing something undefined, I need to use indefinite article.

Moreover, since the word egg begins with a vowel sound, I should use the indefinite article an.

Why is it called Indefinite Article?

A and an are called indefinite articles because we use them to refer to things that are not defined, or indefinite. In fact, the word indefinite comes from combining the Latin prefix –in (meaning not) with the word definitis (meaning defined). In other words, indefinite articles refer to something that is not specific. This may be an undefined or unknown quantity or item.

Recap: When use A or An?

When to use a or an depends on how you pronounce the word in question. It’s important to note that the sound governs which indefinite article you use, not simply the first letter. This means that actually saying the word aloud will help you determine which article to use, and not just looking at the first letter. On one hand, use a if the word begins with a consonant sound (a chicken, a ballot). On the other hand, use an if the word begins with a vowel sound. Additionally, use a before words that begin with a hard ‘h’ sound. Conversely, use an before words that begin with a silent ‘h’.

Quick Indefinite Articles A or An Grammar Quiz

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