I own a cat and two dogs. Apply knowledge of language to … Now imagine that you're talking about more than one thing. The rule is really very simple. A/an and the - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary Use A before nouns with consonant sound. You may have learned that using "a" or "an" depends on the first letter of the next word, but is that correct? When to Use An. We may say: use “an” before a word that begins with a short vowel sound? I like socks. Use "they're" to make a contraction of "they" and "are." In that case, don't use "a" or "an". CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.L.3 . The indefinite article is a or an.But how do we know when to say a and when to say an?. Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one). √ I asked her for an advice. Choosing between the indefinite articles a and an is determined by the sound of the following word. It depends on the SOUND at the start of the following word. Learn why this is not always the case. What to Know. If the word begins with a consonant sound you would use a, such as "a dog" and "a balloon," as well as "a one" and "a unicorn. Use an before words that begins with vowel sound. water, advice): I asked her for advice. Use An before nouns with vowel sound. Use "their" if you mean something belongs to someone. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. Note that we use a in front of words that start with a consonant sound (a horse, a carrot) and an in front of words with a vowel sound (an apple, an elephant). The difference between "a" and "an" is easy: use "an" if the next word starts with a vowel sound. example: an hour; Using An implies a singular word or phrase. Use An if the next word starts with the sound of a vowel. I think you are right to say we use “an” depends on the sound. It should not … Examples: a cat, a parrot, an animal, an apple. books, trees) or uncountable (e.g. How to Use the Indefinite Articles A vs. An. Example: It's their house. Either use "some" or nothing at all: I bought some socks. The two indefinite articles in English are a and an. I think an animal is in the garage That man is a scoundrel. "If the word begins with a vowel sound, use an, such as in "an honorable man," and with spoken acronyms like "an FBI agent." Example: It's that house over there. But, ‘u’ is a vowel, not right to say it has a consonant sound. Example: They're moving into the house across the street. Never use a or an with a word that is plural (e.g. “u” can make three sounds as in up, unit, put, which are short vowel, long vowel, and the third sound respectively . Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category. We don't like for the "a" sound doesn't mix with the other vowel: I saw an elephant. 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