Article ‘A’ and ‘An’ – Rules and Examples
Indefinite articles are used for identifying any specific but indefinite things or persons. A and an are two indefinite articles which are placed for mentioning any single objects in a sentence. To use the two forms of indefinite article we must know its proper using rules. In this following section, we are going to describe about all details about using indefinite articles. After knowing the rules students will be confident to identify the correct article and its place of putting in a sentence correctly.
A and an are two common indefinite articles which are also called little adjectives for being used before nouns. These two articles are always used with singular nouns for explaining any single person and objects. The most common way of identifying the correct article is to find out the initial sound of a word before which article will be placed. It is mandatory to focus only on the initial sound of a word not on the initial word. The common rules of using two articles differently are:
1.) Using A:
Article a is used before any singular person or thing when the initial sound of the letter will be like any consonant sound.
Ex.
A ball, a cricket bat, a garden, a biscuit, a cat, a doctor, a postman, a milk van, a school bus, a playground, a tiffin box, a music room etc.
There was a cat sitting under the table.
He brought lunch in a tiffin box.
2.) Using An:
An will be placed before words whose initial sound will be like any vowel sound from the vowel group a, e, I, o, u. so, students should focus on the sounds of all vowels before using an as article. In most cases, words start with vowels but words can be sounded as vowel though being started with a consonant.
Ex.
An egg, an owl, an umbrella, an hour, an honest man, an article, an island, an orange etc.
I take an egg daily in breakfast.
We always go out by taking an umbrella with us.
List of Rules for Article ‘A and ‘An’
There are some significant rules of using a and an as articles particularly before any noun. To use articles at correct placed we must follow this rules properly. The rules are explained below along with examples:
i) Though a word begins with any vowel letter if it sounds like the vowels then a will be used before the words.
Ex.
A European, a unicorn, a university, a user, a uniform etc.
We studied in a university after college.
We should wear a uniform for attending the place.
ii) In some cases, an is used before words starting with h as they sounds like vowels or the pronunciation is silent h.
Ex.
An hour, an honesty, an honour, an honorary, an heir etc.
We waited outside for an hour.
We met an heir in the meeting place.
But if words begin with h and it sounds like h then it will be treated like consonant for which a will be used before that.
Ex.
A hat, a helmet, a house, a horse etc.
My brother gifted me a horse.
We bought a new house in urban area.
iii) An will be used before any abbreviations which begins with vowel sound.
Ex.
An M.A., an M.B.B.S., an M.L.A., an M.Sc., an M.Com, an M.C.A. etc.
He is an M.A. in English.
he became an M.Com in this year.
iv) For countable nouns a or an will be placed before then to refer single nouns.
Ex.
An apple, a box, a chair, an inkpot etc.
I ate an apple before lunch.
He sit on a chair in the class.
v) A and an both can be used before the names of any profession.
Ex.
An actor, a business, a shopkeeper, a director, an orator etc.
He is known to all as a businessman.
We talked to a shopkeeper in market.
vi) When verbs are used as nouns a will be used with them.
Ex.
For a walk, for a swim, have a bath, have a taste etc.
We went for a walk in evening.
We used to have a bath in early morning.
vii) When such is used before a noun or adjective + noun then a/ an will be used with them.
Ex.
Such a kind boy, such a generous person, such an adventurous trip, such an amazing view etc.
We are very happy after finishing such an adventurous trip.
He is such a kind person to all.
viii) When so is added to adjective+ noun then indefinite articles a/an will be used with it.
Ex.
So wonderful an actress, so boring a movie etc.
ix) A is used with negative words few and little for using it in positive sense.
Ex.
I mix a little honey in juice for taste.
You may take rest for a few days to get better.
x) When proper nouns are used as common nouns article a will be placed before it.
Ex.
You are a Tendulkar in sports.
He is a Kalidas for literature.
FAQs:
1.) What are the two indefinite articles?
Answer. The two indefinite articles are a and an.
2.) From where students can get rules of indefinite articles?
Answer. Students can get detail explanation of each rule in the entire articles.
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