Purpose
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to correctly choose between “a,” “an,” and “the” based on sound and specificity.
Lesson Explanation
A and an are used for something non-specific, mentioned for the first time. The is used for something specific or already known.
The choice between a and an depends on sound, not spelling: use an before a word that starts with a vowel sound, and a before a word that starts with a consonant sound.
an apple (starts with a vowel sound) a university (starts with a "yoo" sound — a consonant sound, despite the letter U) an hour (the H is silent, so it starts with a vowel sound) a house (the H is pronounced — a consonant sound)
Example: I saw a dog. The dog was brown. — the first mention uses a (non-specific, first time), but the second mention uses the (now specific — we know which dog).
Practice Questions
1. Complete: “I have ___ apple.” (a/an)
View Answer
an
2. Complete: “I have ___ book.” (a/an)
View Answer
a
3. Complete: “___ university” (a/an) — even though it starts with U
View Answer
a
4. Complete: “___ hour” (a/an) — the H is silent
View Answer
an
5. Complete: “___ house” (a/an) — the H is pronounced
View Answer
a
6. Is the a/an choice based on spelling or sound?
View Answer
Sound.
7. When do you use “the” instead of “a/an”?
View Answer
When referring to something specific or already known.
8. Complete: “I saw ___ cat. ___ cat was black.” (first mention, then second mention)
View Answer
a; The
9. Why does “a university” use “a,” not “an,” despite starting with the letter U?
View Answer
It starts with a “yoo” sound, which is a consonant sound.
10. Complete: “___ elephant” (a/an)
View Answer
an
11. Complete: “___ orange” (a/an)
View Answer
an
12. Correct or incorrect: “an” is used before every word starting with a vowel letter, regardless of sound.
View Answer
Incorrect — it depends on the actual sound, not the letter.