Showing posts with label the article a or an. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the article a or an. Show all posts

Friday, June 15, 2012

English 101: The Article A and An

Use "a" before a word beginning with a consonant.

a baby
Examples:
a baby
a car
a duck
a watermelon
a fish

However, if the word is pronounced as a vowel sound, use "an".

Examples:
an hour late
an honest man
an honorable judge

Use "an" before a word beginning with a vowel.

an egg

Examples:
an apple
an egg
an iron
an orange
an umbrella
an American flag

However, if the word is pronounced as a consonant sound, use "a".

a U.S. flag

Examples:

a one-story building
a union
a united front
a unicorn
a U.S. flag

Please note that "a" or "an" is used only for singular noun.

Practice Test:
Use "a" or "an" in the following sentences.

1) It is a ____ library.
2) My mother is ___ wonder woman.
3) This is ___ unusual story.
4) There is ____ one-story building over there.
5) I want to buy ___ US made product.
6) Johnny is  ____ honorable man.
7) Give me ___ hammer.
8) My niece is ____ happy baby.
9) That is ___ empty bottle.
10) I never saw ___ unicorn.

Answers: