Category : 5th Class
Indefinite articles - A and An
'A' and 'an' are the indefinite articles. They refer to something which is not specific.
Use of Indefinite Article
1. 'A' and 'an' are used before countable nouns in the singular number.
For example: "I saw an elephant this morning." "I ate o banana for lunch."
2. 'A' and 'an' are also used with a noun complement.
For example: "I am an English teacher." "I am o builder."
Specific Rules of Use
1. 'A' is used when the noun begins with a consonant (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, I, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y and z).
For example : 'a city', 'a factory', and 'a hotel' etc.
2. 'An' is used when the noun begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u).
For example : 'an inkpot', 'an apple', 'an egg' etc.
Pronunciation changes this rule. It's the sound that matters, not the spelling.
3. If a word begins with a consonant but gives a vowel sound, 'an' will be used.
For example : "an hour".
Explanation : 'When we say' hour' it sounds like "our". So,"an hour" is correct.
4. If a word begins with a vowel but gives a consonant sound, 'a' will be used.
For example : 'a university'.
Explanation: When we say "university" it gives a "y" sound at the beginning as if it has been spelt "youniversity".
So, "a university" is correct.
Fill in the blanks with Indefinite Article
Mr. Johnson is ___________ European.
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) None of these
(E) All of these
Answer: (A)
Explanation:
Pronunciation of European starts with 'y' sound. Therefore, (A) is used before it.
Maria is ________ intelligent girl.
(A) A
(B) The
(C) An
(D) None of these
(E) All of these.
Answer: (C)
Explanation:
The first letter in Intelligent is vowel and sounds like vowel. Therefore, 'an' is used with it.
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