Indefinite Article Adverb Adjective

The indefinite article is used in the following order: Indefinite Article Adverb Adjective.

Indefinite Article + Adjective

Rule #1.3: The indefinite article precedes an adjective which is followed by a singular, indefinite, countable noun.

a man
a strong man

an elephant
a big elephant

a book
an excellent book

a spider
an ugly spider

Notice that the use of the indefinite article depends on the sound of the adjective, not the noun that follows it.

Exercise 10: Fill in the blanks using a or an:

Indefinite Article + Adverb + Adjective

Rule #1.4: The indefinite article precedes an adverb when it is followed by adjective before a singular, indefinite, countable noun

a strong man
a really strong man

a written story
an honestly written story

an accepted truth
a universally accepted truth

a beautiful woman
an unbelievably beautiful woman

Notice that the use of the indefinite article depends on the sound of the adverb, not the adjective or noun that follows it.

Exercise 11: Fill in the blanks using a or an:

Exercise 12: Put in the correct order:

Indefinite Article Adverb Order Exceptions

Exception to Rule #1.4: The indefinite article follows the adverbs quite and such when used with a singular, indefinite, countable noun

Correct: Mr Smith is such a great teacher.
Incorrect: Mr Smith is a such great teacher.

Correct: This is quite a delicious meal.
Incorrect: This is a quite delicious meal.

Correct: Bill is such a loser.
Incorrect: Bill is a such loser.

Correct: You’re quite a talker.
Incorrect: You’re a quite talker.

Exercise 13: Correct or incorrect?

Extra! Such can only be used with nouns, if a noun is not present so is used instead.

She is such a talented programmer.
She is so talented.

This is such a good book.
This is so good.

You are such a nice guy.
You are so nice.

It’s such a hot day.
It’s so hot.

Fill in the blanks, so or such?