A/An Activity

Choosing Between A and An

A and An are both indefinite articles. In contrast to the, which is used to refer to a particular thing, a and an are used with general nouns. 
For example, if we say, “Take this to the car,” we have a particular car in mind, but if we say, “Take this to a car,” we mean any car.

American speakers use a when the following noun begins with a consonant (letters that are not vowels), and an with nouns that begin with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u).

Examples of a used with words beginning with consonants:

• a book a towel 
• a football player a screaming meemie
• a total failure a wicked form of punishment

Examples of an used with words beginning with vowels:

• an apple an inquiry
• an invitational tournament an oval shaped table
• an indefinite answer an inhumane form of punishment

The difference between a and an is one of pronunciation, and so we also use an in front of a silent h because judging only by sound, the word begins with the vowel that follows the h.

Examples: an hour, an honor, an herb

American speakers treat breathy-sounding h’s as consonants and so use a.

Examples: a historical book, a hoped-for outcome, a house

We also use a in front of vowels when their pronunciation sounds like you.

Examples: a European, a unit, a university

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