In this chapter
Welcome to Part II. Now that you can build sentences with be and have got, it is time to look closely at the nouns in them — the names of people and things. The first question is small but important: when do you say a or an?
A and an are called articles. They mean one, and they come before a singular noun. Many languages don't use them in the same way, so learners often forget them. In this chapter you will learn when to use them, how to choose between a and an, and when to use no article at all.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can use a or an before one countable thing.
- I can choose a or an by the first sound of the next word.
- I can use a or an to talk about jobs and to describe things.
- I can leave out a or an with plural and uncountable nouns.
A and an: one thing
Use a or an before a singular noun that you can count — a pen, an egg — when you say what something is or mention it for the first time.
The pattern
a / an + singular noun
a book, a dog, an apple, an idea
-
I ( subject ) have ( verb ) a ( determiner ) car. ( noun )
a car = one car.
-
This ( subject ) is ( verb ) a ( determiner ) pen. ( noun )
-
She ( subject ) eats ( verb ) an ( determiner ) apple ( noun ) every day. ( time )
Quick checkI have got ___ bike.
A or an? Listen to the sound
Choose by the first sound of the next word, not the first letter. Use an before a vowel sound and a before a consonant sound.
| a + consonant sound | an + vowel sound |
|---|---|
| a book | an apple |
| a dog | an egg |
| a house | an idea |
| a university (a “y” sound) | an hour (the h is silent) |
| a European city (a “y” sound) | an umbrella |
-
I'll see you in an hour.
an, because the h in hour is silent.
-
He's a university student.
a, because university begins with a “y” sound.
-
It ( subject ) is ( verb ) an ( determiner ) old ( adjective ) house. ( noun )
an before old — the adjective comes first, so its sound decides.
-
She ( subject ) has ( verb ) a ( determiner ) big ( adjective ) apple. ( noun )
a before big, even though apple starts with a vowel.
Quick checkShe has ___ umbrella.
A and an for jobs and descriptions
Use a/an to say what someone's job is or what something is. English needs the article here, even when your language doesn't.
The pattern
Subject + be + a / an + (adjective) + noun
She is a nurse. It's a beautiful day.
-
My mother ( subject ) is ( verb ) a ( determiner ) nurse. ( noun )
A job needs a or an.
-
It's ( subject ) a ( determiner ) beautiful ( adjective ) day. ( noun )
-
He's an engineer.
an before the vowel sound of engineer.
-
Lisbon is a city in Portugal.
Saying what something is.
Quick checkPut the words in order.
When not to use a or an
Don't use a/an with plural nouns (books) or with uncountable nouns — things we don't count, such as water , money , music or bread .
| Not this | This |
|---|---|
| They are a teachers. | They are teachers. |
| I like a music. | I like music. |
| Can I have a water? | Can I have some water? |
| It is a very good. | It is very good. |
-
We ( subject ) are ( verb ) students. ( complement )
Plural — no article.
-
I like music.
Music is uncountable — no a.
-
They are doctors.
Plural — no a.
Quick checkThey are ___.
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
-
Incorrect: I have a apple.
Correct: I have an apple.
Use an before a vowel sound.
-
Incorrect: She is teacher.
Correct: She is a teacher.
Singular jobs need a or an.
-
Incorrect: I'll be there in a hour.
Correct: I'll be there in an hour.
The h in hour is silent, so it starts with a vowel sound.
-
Incorrect: They are a students.
Correct: They are students.
No a or an with plural nouns.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
At the café
Mia orders at a café near her school.
- Waiter
Hello! What would you like?
- Mia
A coffee and an orange juice, please.
an before orange — a vowel sound.
- Waiter
Anything to eat? We've got a chocolate cake and an apple pie.
- Mia
An apple pie, please. Is it big?
- Waiter
It's a small piece, but it's very good.
- Mia
Great. Oh, and can I have a glass of water?
a glass of water — water alone has no article.
- Waiter
Of course. Are you a student here?
- Mia
No, I'm an English teacher. My school is next door.
Jobs need a/an: an English teacher.
- Waiter
Oh, nice! That's an interesting job.
- Mia
Thanks. It's a busy job, too!
What to remember
- 1 Use a or an before one countable thing: a pen, an egg.
- 2 Use an before a vowel sound and a before a consonant sound — listen, don't look: an hour, a university.
- 3 The word straight after decides: an apple but a big apple.
- 4 Jobs and descriptions need a/an: She is a teacher. It's a beautiful day.
- 5 No a/an with plurals or uncountable nouns: books, water, music.
| a | an |
|---|---|
| a book | an apple |
| a university | an hour |
| a big egg | an old car |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
22 questions on Articles: a / an
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 18 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.