Rules for Article: “An”
- Rule-1 – “An” is used before vowel-sound-beginning words. The English alphabet’s vowels are A, E, I, O, and U.
- Rule-2 -If the initial letter produces a vowel-like sound, “an” is used.
- Rule-3 – Use “an” before an unsounded or silent “h.” Since “h” has no phonetic representation or audible sound, the following sound is a vowel; therefore, “an” is used.
Using Indefinite Articles: “A”
The indefinite article precedes an adjective, followed by a singular, countable noun. Remember that in this instance, the use of a/an depends on the first syllable of the adjective, not the following noun. If there is no noun following the adjective, there is no need to use the indefinite article.
Consider the subsequent examples-
- I want to buy a car.
- I need a stamp for this letter.
- She is a doctor.
- A dog barked all night.
- I go on holiday twice a year.
- My father is a car mechanic.
Using Indefinite Articles: “An”
The sound of the words starting immediately following the indefinite article determines whether “a” or “an” should be used. That term may be an adjective or a noun depending on the context. The choice of indefinite article alters when an adjective with a distinct first sound is added to the noun it is moderating.
If someone said, “Give me an apple,” you might be tempted to go outside and grab one off the tree or even dash inside and purchase one. The speaker has made it clear that he or she is seeking any apple, as opposed to a particular apple, by using the word an.
There are instances when the article “An” may precede a consonant. The most effective method for remembering this is to trust how the sentence sounds in your mind when you say it aloud.
- I bought an umbrella just before the rain started.
- An eager child ran into the store.
- He is an NFL coach
- We saw an airplane fly across the sky.
- The sushi chef-prepared meals for a hungry crowd.
Indefinite Article – A and An
What is an Indefinite Article? Have you heard about indefinite Articles? In this article, we will get to know about the indefinite article, Phrase, Its rules, usage, and practice questions. As we all know there are three articles in English: a, an, and the. Articles are a form of an adjective used before nouns or noun equivalents. Using the definite article (the) before a noun indicates that the reader knows the noun’s identity.
Before a noun that is general or whose identity is unknown, the indefinite article (a, an) is used. There are instances in which a noun does not require an article. We use the indefinite article a/an with singular nouns when it is unclear to the listener/reader which one we refer to.
Table of Content
- What is a Phrase?
- What is an Article?
- Definite Article
- Indefinite Article
- Definite and Indefinite Articles with Examples
- Rules for Article: “A”
- Rules for Article: “An”
- Conclusion
- Practice Questions on Indefinite Articles: “A”, “An”
- Indefinite Articles: “A”, “An” – FAQs