I I n d e f f i i n i i t t e A r r t t i i c l l e s s : : A / A n
Indefinite articles are indefinite because they do not refer specifically to the (definite article) particular object being discussed. An indefinite article refers to an object in a general sense.
Use
“a”
with nouns starting with a consonant (letters that are not vowels),
“an” with nouns starting with a vowel ( a,e,i,o,u )
Examples: A boy
An apple
Note: An before an h mute - an hour, an honor.
A before u and eu when they sound like 'you': a European, a university.
The indefinite article is used:
To refer to something for the first time:
Example: An elephant and a mouse fell in love.
To refer to a particular member of a group or class: such as the names of jobs, nationalities, religions, musical instruments and days of the week.
Examples: John is a doctor .
John is an Englishman .
Sherlock Holmes was playing a violin when the visitor arrived.
I was born on a Thursday .
To refer to a “kind of,” or “example of” something:
Examples: The mouse had a tiny nose.
The elephant had a long trunk.
It was a very strange car.
With singular nouns, after the words 'what' and 'such' :
Examples: What a shame !
She's such a beautiful girl.
Meaning 'one', referring to a single object or person:
Examples: I'd like an orange and two lemons please.
The burglar took a diamond necklace and a valuable painting .
1.
Thomas is French man.
2.
There is coffee shop on Wards road.
3.
I will get married on Saturday afternoon.
4.
I have apple in my lunch bag.
5.
It is relief that you passed your final exam.
6.
America is Western country.
Jared T. Mink
©2007 Liberty University Graduate Writing Center
E-mail: graduatewriting@liberty.edu
Phone: 592-4727