1. Overview:
The indefinite articles "a" and "an" are used to talk about a non-specific person or thing. "A" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, and "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. These articles help us introduce new information.
2. Cases of Usage:
Case 1: Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound.
Example: I see a cat.
Case 2: Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.
Example: She has an apple.
Case 3: Use "a" or "an" with adjectives before nouns.
Example: He is a tall man.
Example: It is an interesting book.
3. Exceptions or Things to Pay Attention To:
Words that begin with a silent "h" use "an."
Example: an hour.
Some words may look like they start with a vowel but sound like a consonant.
Example: a university (sounds like "yoo").
4. Additional Notes:
Remember that "a" and "an" are only used with singular nouns. For plural nouns, we do not use these articles. A common mistake is to use "an" with words that start with a vowel letter but sound like a consonant, so listen carefully to the sound when speaking.
