the Indefinite Article and Sound
Use of the indefinite article is not as simple as putting a before nouns that begin with consonants and an before those that begin with vowels, there are indefinite article exceptions that one must be aware of.
It is important to remember that sound determines what article is used, not the letter that precedes it.
a university or an university?
Use the indefinite article a with words that begin with the letter u which have same sound as the word you. The word you has a y sound.
a unicycle, a uniform, a unicorn, a university
an uncle, an umpire, an ultimatum, an upstart
Quiz-summary
0 of 10 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Information
Exercise 3: Read the words aloud. Choose a or an.
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 10 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 10
1. Question
1 points___ utensil
Correcta utensil (utensil has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta utensil (utensil has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 2 of 10
2. Question
1 points___ usher
- Question 3 of 10
3. Question
1 points___ urge
- Question 4 of 10
4. Question
1 points___ utility pole
Correcta utility pole (the u in the word utility has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
Incorrecta utility pole (the u in the word utility has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
- Question 5 of 10
5. Question
1 points___ union
Correcta union (the u in the word union has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
Incorrecta union (the u in the word union has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
- Question 6 of 10
6. Question
1 points___ undertaker
- Question 7 of 10
7. Question
1 points___ unit
Correcta unit (the u in the word unit has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
Incorrecta unit (the u in the word unit has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
- Question 8 of 10
8. Question
1 points___ utterance
- Question 9 of 10
9. Question
1 points___ utopian
Correcta utopian (the u in the word utopian has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
Incorrecta utopian (the u in the word utopian has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
- Question 10 of 10
10. Question
1 points___ user
Correcta user (the u in the word user has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
Incorrecta user (the u in the word user has the same sound as the y in you … a consonant sound)
Quiz-summary
0 of 10 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Information
Exercise 4: Correct or incorrect?
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 10 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 10
1. Question
1 pointsan union
Correcta union (union has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta union (union has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 2 of 10
2. Question
1 pointsan umpire
- Question 3 of 10
3. Question
1 pointsa unibrow
Correcta unibrow (unibrow has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta unibrow (unibrow has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 4 of 10
4. Question
1 pointsa uncle
- Question 5 of 10
5. Question
1 pointsa used car
Correcta used car (used has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta used car (used has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 6 of 10
6. Question
1 pointsan uproar
- Question 7 of 10
7. Question
1 pointsa undesirable
- Question 8 of 10
8. Question
1 pointsan utensil
Correcta utensil (utensil has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta utensil (utensil has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 9 of 10
9. Question
1 pointsan ugly duckling
- Question 10 of 10
10. Question
1 pointsa union
Correcta union (union has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta union (union has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
a European or an European?
Use the indefinite article a with words that begin with the letters eu which have same sound as the word you. The word you has a y sound.
a European, a euro, a eulogy, a eucalyptus tree
an uncle, an umpire, an ultimatum, an upstart
Quiz-summary
0 of 6 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Information
Exercise 5: Read the words aloud. Choose a or an.
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 6 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 6
1. Question
1 points___ euphemism
Correcta euphemism (euphemism has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta euphemism (euphemism has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 2 of 6
2. Question
1 points___ eraser
- Question 3 of 6
3. Question
1 points___ envelope
- Question 4 of 6
4. Question
1 points___ eunuch
Correcta eunuch (eunuch has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta eunuch (eunuch has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 5 of 6
5. Question
1 points___ elastic
- Question 6 of 6
6. Question
1 points___ empire
Quiz-summary
0 of 10 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Information
Exercise 6: Correct or incorrect?
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 10 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 10
1. Question
1 pointsan European
Correcta European (European has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta European (European has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 2 of 10
2. Question
1 pointsan eel
- Question 3 of 10
3. Question
1 pointsa ear
- Question 4 of 10
4. Question
1 pointsa euphemism
Correcta euphemism (euphemism has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta euphemism (euphemism has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 5 of 10
5. Question
1 pointsan eucalyptus tree
Correcta eucalyptus tree (eucalyptus has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta eucalyptus tree (eucalyptus has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 6 of 10
6. Question
1 pointsan eclipse
- Question 7 of 10
7. Question
1 pointsa eunuch
Correcta eunuch (eunuch has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta eunuch (eunuch has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 8 of 10
8. Question
1 pointsa elf
- Question 9 of 10
9. Question
1 pointsan euro
Correcta euro (euro has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta euro (euro has the same sound as the y in you… a consonant sound)
- Question 10 of 10
10. Question
1 pointsan emotion
a one or an one?
Use the indefinite article a with words that begin with the word one which has same sound as the w in the word won.
a one-hit wonder, a one-time offer, a one-way street
an ocean, an ounce, an office, an ostrich
Quiz-summary
0 of 8 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Information
Exercise 7: Read the following aloud. Choose a or an
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 8 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 8
1. Question
1 points___ omission
- Question 2 of 8
2. Question
1 points___ odor
- Question 3 of 8
3. Question
1 points___ one-liner
Correcta one-liner (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-liner (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 4 of 8
4. Question
1 points___ one-night stand
Correcta one-night stand (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-night stand (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 5 of 8
5. Question
1 points___ ostrich
- Question 6 of 8
6. Question
1 points___ one-track mind
Correcta one-track mind (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-track mind (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 7 of 8
7. Question
1 points___ onion
- Question 8 of 8
8. Question
1 points___ one-sided argument
Correcta one-sided argument (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-sided argument (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Quiz-summary
0 of 10 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Information
Exercise 8: Correct or incorrect? aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 10 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 10
1. Question
1 pointsan one-way ticket
Correcta one-way ticket (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-way ticket (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 2 of 10
2. Question
1 pointsa octopus
- Question 3 of 10
3. Question
1 pointsan oak tree
- Question 4 of 10
4. Question
1 pointsa oyster
- Question 5 of 10
5. Question
1 pointsa one-syllable word
Correcta one-syllable word (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-syllable word (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 6 of 10
6. Question
1 pointsan oath
- Question 7 of 10
7. Question
1 pointsan one-hit wonder
Correcta one-hit wonder (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-hit wonder (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 8 of 10
8. Question
1 pointsa one-liner
Correcta one-liner (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-liner (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
- Question 9 of 10
9. Question
1 pointsa orange
- Question 10 of 10
10. Question
1 pointsa one-way street
Correcta one-way street (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
Incorrecta one-way street (one has the same sound as the w in won… a consonant sound)
a hour or an hour?
Use the indefinite article an with words that begin with a silent h. The silent h has a vowel sound.
an hour, a/an herb*, an honest man, an heir
a hospital, a horse, a house, a hen
*In some dialects of the United Kingdom, the h in some words is silent, whereas in North America it is pronounced. As such, an is used by the former and a by the latter.
Time limit: 0Quiz-summary
0 of 6 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Information
Exercise 9: Read the following words aloud. Choose a or an
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 6 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score Your score
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 6
1. Question
1 points___ honorable discharge
-
-
Correct
an honorable discharge (the h in honorable is silent leaving it with a vowel sound)
Incorrect
an honorable discharge (the h in honorable is silent leaving it with a vowel sound)
- Question 2 of 6
2. Question
1 points___ hero
-
-
- Question 3 of 6
3. Question
1 points___ home
-
-
- Question 4 of 6
4. Question
1 points___ heiress
-
-
Correct
an heiress (the h in heiress is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
Incorrect
an heiress (the h in heiress is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
- Question 5 of 6
5. Question
1 points___ hourglass
-
-
Correct
an hourglass (the h in hourglass is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
Incorrect
an hourglass (the h in hourglass is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
- Question 6 of 6
6. Question
1 points___ head
-
-
Quiz-summary
0 of 6 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Information
Exercise 9: Read the following words aloud. Choose a or an
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 6 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score | |
Your score |
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1.1 + 1.2 areas of confusion 0%
- 1.2: (an) precedes a countable noun that is singular, indefinite, and begins with a vowel sound 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- Answered
- Review
- Question 1 of 6
1. Question
1 points___ honorable discharge
Correctan honorable discharge (the h in honorable is silent leaving it with a vowel sound)
Incorrectan honorable discharge (the h in honorable is silent leaving it with a vowel sound)
- Question 2 of 6
2. Question
1 points___ hero
- Question 3 of 6
3. Question
1 points___ home
- Question 4 of 6
4. Question
1 points___ heiress
Correctan heiress (the h in heiress is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
Incorrectan heiress (the h in heiress is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
- Question 5 of 6
5. Question
1 points___ hourglass
Correctan hourglass (the h in hourglass is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
Incorrectan hourglass (the h in hourglass is silent leaving the word with a vowel sound)
- Question 6 of 6
6. Question
1 points___ head