ARTICLES A OR AN

 

When do we use a and when do we use an?

In speaking, we use a /ə/ before a consonant sound:

a car a house a big truck a wheel a grey day

Warning:

Some words that begin with a vowel letter in writing have a consonant sound:

/ə ju:ˈnaɪtɪd …/ /ə ju:niˈvɜ:sɪti/ /ə wʌn …/

a united group a university a one-year-old child

We use an /ən/ before a vowel sound:

an apple an old shoe an orchestra an umbrella

Warning:

Some words that begin with a consonant letter in writing have a vowel sound:

/ən aʊə(r)/ an hour/ən empi:θri: …/ an MP3 player

A one year old baby.

PRESENT SIMPLE FORM