Articles
(The
Indefinite Article)
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The indefinite article is the word "a" or "an”. It is used before a noun to define it as something non-specific.
The
indefinite article is used to refer to something for the first time or to refer
to a particular member of a group or class.
The
indefinite article contrasts with the definite article ("the"), which
defines something as specific.
The
indefinite article takes two forms. It’s the word ‘a’ when it precedes a word
that begins with a consonant.
It’s
the word ‘an’ when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel sound.
The
indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a general idea rather than a
particular thing.
Examples:
a boy
an
apple
a car
a
helicopter
an
elephant
a big
elephant
an
itchy sweater
an
ugly duck
a
European
a
university
a
unit
an
hour
an
honor
Rule
1
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ to refer to something for the first time.
Examples:
Would
you like a drink?
I've
finally got a good job.
An
elephant and a mouse fell in love.
Rule
2
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ with names of jobs.
Examples:
John
is a doctor.
Mary
is training to be an engineer.
He
wants to be a dancer.
Rule
3
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ with nationalities and religions in the
singular.
Examples:
John
is an Englishman.
Kate
is a Catholic.
Rule
4
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ with the names of days of the week when not
referring to any particular day.
Examples:
I
was born on a Thursday.
Could
I come over on a Saturday sometime?
Rule
5
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ to refer to an example of something.
Examples:
The
mouse had a tiny nose.
The
elephant had a long trunk.
It
was a very strange car.
Rule
6
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’ with singular nouns after the words 'what'
and 'such'.
Examples:
What
a shame!
She's
such a beautiful girl.
What
a lovely day!
Rule
6
Use
the indefinite article ‘a’ or ‘an’, meaning 'one', referring to a single object
or person, or a single unit of measure. In these sentences using
"one" instead of the indefinite article is grammatically correct. It
will add emphasis to the number, and contrast with other numbers.
Examples:
I'd
like an orange and two lemons please.
I'd
like one orange and two lemons please.
The
burglar took a diamond necklace and some valuable paintings.
I
can think of a hundred reasons not to come.
I
need a kilogram of sugar.
I
need one kilogram of sugar.
You
can't run a mile in 5 minutes!
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