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Indefinite Articles: a and an

Indefinite means that the modified noun refers to any member of a group.

The rules for which article, a or an, to use in a given situation follow:

• “A” is used before any word that begins with a consonant whether the word is a noun or an adjective.
  Examples: a field trip, a trip to the park, a joyful ride
• “An” is used before any word that begins with a vowel whether the word is a noun or an adjective.
  Examples: an elephant, an apple, an eventful evening

NOTE: The rules above are true in most cases, but there are a few exceptions.

A Few Exceptions:

• Use an before unsounded h.
  Examples: an honest mistake, an honorable award
• Use an when discussing all vowels except u and consonants f, h, l, m, n, r, s, and x.
  Example: Mary’s name begins with an M.
• Use a when u makes the same sound as the y in you.
  Examples: a unit, a unicorn, a U.S. citizen

Indefinite articles are also used to show membership in a profession, nation, or religion.

• Lin is a doctor.
• Fred is an American.
• Juan is a Catholic.

Continue to Definite Articles: the

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