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THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE

Indefinite Definition:
The words a and an are called indefinite articles. We can use them with singular nouns to talk about any single person or thing.

Deciding which indefinite article to place in front of a word depends upon the initial sound of the word, not the first letter of the word.

When to use a; when to use an

The Indefinite Article (A)
Definition For A:
‘A’ is used before words beginning with a consonant sound.

e.g.

a usual a student a doctor a hotel
The Indefinite Article (An)
Definition For An:
The article ‘an’ should be placed before words that begin with a vowel sound.

The initial sound should be a, e, i, o, or u.

Examples for Indefinite Article
an hour an elephant an actor an ice-cream

RULES For A And An

1. ‘A’ must be used before words which begin with a vowel symbol pronounced with the same sound as the ‘y’ or a ‘w’-like sound.

e.g.

a Europe a uniform a union a unique
a unitarian a united a university a usual
a useful thing a year a one-eyed giant a one-dollar note

2. Sometimes, ‘an’ is found before words beginning with the letter ‘h’.

Silent ‘h’: ‘an’ is used before these words:

e.g.

an hour an honour an heir an heirloom
an hourly an honorarium an honesty an honorary

But this practice is going out. If ‘h’ is pronounced, ‘a’ is used:

e.g.

a hotel a house a horse a human being

3. We use AN before abbreviations that begin with a vowel sound.

e.g.

an M.A., an M.Sc., an M.B.B.S., an M.L.A.
an N.C.C Officer an M.Com., an M.C.A an M.B.A.,

4. ‘a’ or ‘an’ must be used before a singular noun standing for things that can be counted.

e.g.

England is a country London is a city
Rice is a cereal A dog is an animal

5. ‘a’ or ‘an’ must be used before the names of professions.

e.g.

His father is a doctor
She is an engineer

6. Words like hero, genius, fool, thief and liar take the indefinite article.

e.g.

Beware of that fellow; he is a liar
My friend is a genius

7. The following word has indefinite article. Such + a/an + noun (or) Such + a/an + adjective + noun

e.g.

Such a thing Such a person
Such an honour Such an interesting story

8. The following word has indefinite article. so + adjective + a/an + noun

e.g.

So interesting a person So nice an opportunity

9. ‘Few’ and ‘Little’ are negative meaning. ‘A few’ and ‘a little’ are positive and mean 'some'

e.g.

He has little knowledge of this subject I have a little money on me
He has few friends I have a few books on this subject

10. In its original numerical sense of one; as,

e.g.

Not a word was said Twelve inches make a foot
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush I have a book

11. A, an = one thing or person.

e.g.

Sara works in a bank Can I ask a question?
I have not got a car There’s a woman at the bus stop

12. We use a/an when we say what a thing or a person is.

e.g.

The sun is a star Football is a game
A mouse is an animal. It’s a small animal He is a very jolly person

13. We use a/an for jobs, etc.

e.g.

I am a dentist He is a teacher
She is a student Are you an engineer?

 

Note : The indefinite articles are not used before plural nouns, proper nouns, abstract nouns, uncountable and material nouns.

e.g.

A dog is a faithful animal Dogs are faithful animals

Learning Competency

What are idioms?
Idioms can be defined as a group of words having a meaning different from the individual meanings of each word in the group.