A vs An
'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before a singular, non-specific noun; 'a' is used before words that begin with a consonant sound and 'an' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. Year 3 pupils learn that the choice depends on how the following word sounds, not just on its first letter.
Method
- Find the noun, or the first word of the noun phrase, that needs an article.
- Say the noun's first sound out loud, not just its first letter.
- Use 'an' if the noun begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u sound).
- Use 'a' if the noun begins with a consonant sound.
- Watch for tricky exceptions, such as 'an hour' (silent h) and 'a university' (starts with a 'yoo' sound).
Worked example
Choose 'a' or 'an' for each gap: 'I saw ___ elephant and ___ unicorn in my dream, then I waited ___ hour for the bus.'
- 'Elephant' starts with the vowel sound 'e', so use 'an elephant'.
- 'Unicorn' starts with a 'yoo' consonant sound even though 'u' is a vowel letter, so use 'a unicorn'.
- 'Hour' starts with a silent 'h', so it sounds like it begins with 'ow', a vowel sound, so use 'an hour'.
- Final answer: I saw an elephant and a unicorn in my dream, then I waited an hour for the bus.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Complete this sentence with the correct article and explain your choice: 'She waited for ___ hour before the film started.'
Find and correct the three article errors in this passage: 'I saw a owl sitting on an tree near a old barn.'
Explain, using two examples, why the article used before a word depends on its sound rather than its first letter.
Free printable worksheet
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