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Questions and Answers
Use ______ before words that start with a consonant sound.
a
Use ______ before words that start with a vowel sound.
an
Use ______ before words that start with a silent 'h'.
an
Use ______ before abbreviations that start with a consonant sound.
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The choice of '______' or 'an' may vary depending on the speaker's accent.
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What is the general rule for using 'a' or 'an'?
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Before which type of words should you use 'an'?
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What should you do if you're unsure about using 'a' or 'an'?
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Before which type of words should you use 'a'?
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Why is the general rule for using 'a' or 'an' based on the sound of the word?
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Study Notes
Indefinite Articles: A or An
Basic Rules
- Use a before words that start with a consonant sound:
- a cat, a dog, a house
- Use an before words that start with a vowel sound:
- an apple, an elephant, an hour
Exceptions
- Use an before words that start with a silent "h":
- an hour, an heir
- Use a before words that start with a pronounced "h":
- a house, a historian
- Use a before words that start with a vowel but have a consonant sound:
- a European, a unicorn
Special Cases
- Use a before abbreviations that start with a consonant sound:
- a TV, a DVD
- Use an before abbreviations that start with a vowel sound:
- an FBI agent, an NGO
Irregularities
- Some words have different pronunciations in different regions or dialects, so the choice of "a" or "an" may vary depending on the speaker's accent.
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Description
Learn the basic rules and exceptions for using indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' in English grammar, including pronunciation, abbreviations, and special cases.
