Hand-out: 2013

PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education

Goa, Camarines Sur

Using “a” and “an”

For Children with Special needs

Behavioral Disability

email: avonabante@gmail.com
abante.avon@yahoo.com

“The greater part of the world's troubles are due to questions of grammar.”

― Michel de Montaigne
02-13-13

Using “a” and “an”

When should we use “a” and when should we use “an” before the different words? For example, should I say “a hour” or “an hour?”

The Rule

The rule states that “a” should be used before words that begin with consonants (e.g., b, c ,d) while “an” should be used before words that begin with vowels (e.g., a,e,i). Notice, however, that the usage is determined by the pronunciation and not by the spelling, as many people wrongly assume.

You should say, therefore, “an hour” (because hour begins with a vowel sound) and “a history” (because history begins with a consonant sound).

How to Correctly Use A and AnSimilarly you should say “a union” even if union begins with a “u.” That is because the pronunciation begins with “yu”, which is a consonant sound.

Instructions

- 1
  
  Letters--A Primer
  
  The letters a, e, i, o, and u are vowels.
  
  All of the other letters are consonants.
- 2
  
  ~~A~~
  
  Use the article "a" before most all words that begin with a consonant. Some examples of words that begin with consonants are boy, scooter, and tree.
  
  A boy rode a scooter past a tree.
- 3
  
  An exception to this rule is for some words that begin with the letter "h."
  
  Use the word "an" before words that begin with "h" when the "h" doesn't make a sound, such as honorable and honest.
  
  An honorable judge made an honest mistake when he let the man go free.
  
  For other words that begin with "h" and the "h" is heard, such as hammer and hat, use the article "a."
  
  A hammer made a loud noise. I wore a hat today.
- 4
  
  ~~An~~
  
  The article "an" is used before words that begin with vowels--a, e, i, o, u. Words that begin with vowels are apple, elephant, igloo, orange, and umbrella.
  
  An apple fell from the tree and hit an elephant. An igloo is a sturdy house. An orange is ripe when it is orange. An umbrella kept the rain off my head.
- 5
  
  An exception is when the letter "u" makes the same sound as the "y" in you, or an "o" makes the same sound as "w" in won, then use the article "a."
  
  union, united, unicorn, used, U.S., one
  
  Examples of sentence uses "a" when the letter u makes the same sound as "you" and "o" makes sound "won".
  
  A union soldier lived to tell the tale.
  It's important to show a united front.
  A unicorn has one horn, unless it has two.
  A used book is just as good as a new book.
  A U.S. flag was flying overhead.
  A one-armed paper hanger was as busy as a bee.

The words "a" and "an" are articles and are often confused in writing. To correctly use "a" and "an," follow a few simple rules.

Exceptions exist in all English language rules, including when to use "a" and "an." The key to knowing when to use the correct article is how the word sounds that the article modifies.

What are some words using “a” and “an”?

An is used before all words beginning with a vowel sound.

Examples :