Tip #2 When to Use “a” and “an”

 

Grammar Tip: When to Use “a” and “an”

When do I use “a” and when do I use “an”?
Let’s make it easy! 😊

✅ Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound:

• a cat
• a book
• a dog
• a university (“university” starts with a “yoo” sound)

✅ Use “an” before words that start with a vowel sound:

• an apple
• an elephant
• an idea
• an hour (“hour” starts with an “ow” sound)

📌 Quick Trick:

👉 Say the word out loud.
If it sounds like it begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u), use “an”.
If it sounds like it begins with a consonant, use “a”.

---

🧠 Try it yourself:

1. ___ orange
2. ___ banana
3. ___ umbrella
4. ___ horse
5. ___ egg

(Answers: 1. an, 2. a, 3. an, 4. a, 5. an)

 

More exercises ←

---

---