UH-Victoria

A, An or The?
Understanding Articles

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