a (also an) = indefinite article
The form a is used before consonant sounds and the form an before vowel sounds. When saying abbreviations like "FM" or "UN", use a or an according to how the first letter is said. For example, F is a consonant, but begins with the vowel sound and so: an FM radio. U is a vowel but begins with the consonant sound and so: a UN declaration.
1. used before countable or singular nouns referring to people or things that have not already been mentioned: a man/ horse/ unit; an aunt/ egg/ hour/ x-ray
- I can only carry two at a time.
- There's a visitor for you.
- She is a friend of my father's. (= one of my father's friends)
2. used before uncountable nouns when these have an adjective in front of them, or phrase following them: a good knowledge of French; a sadness that won't go away
3. any; every:
- A lion is a dangerous animal.
4. used to show that somebody/something is a member of a group or profession:
- Their new car's a BMW.
- She's a Buddhist.
- He's a teacher.
- Is that a Monet? (= a painting by Monet)
5. used in front of two nouns that are seen as a single unit: a knife and fork
6. used instead of one before some numbers:
- A thousand people were there.
7. used when talking about prices, quantities, and rates:
[Synonym: per]
- They cost 50p a kilo.
- I can type 50 words a minute.
- He was driving at 50 miles an hour.
8. a person like somebody:
- She's a little Hitler.
9. used before somebody's name to show that the speaker does not know the person:
- There's a Mrs Green to see you.
10. used before the names of days of the week to talk about one particular day:
- She died on a Tuesday.
The form a is used before consonant sounds and the form an before vowel sounds. When saying abbreviations like "FM" or "UN", use a or an according to how the first letter is said. For example, F is a consonant, but begins with the vowel sound and so: an FM radio. U is a vowel but begins with the consonant sound and so: a UN declaration.
1. used before countable or singular nouns referring to people or things that have not already been mentioned: a man/ horse/ unit; an aunt/ egg/ hour/ x-ray
- I can only carry two at a time.
- There's a visitor for you.
- She is a friend of my father's. (= one of my father's friends)
2. used before uncountable nouns when these have an adjective in front of them, or phrase following them: a good knowledge of French; a sadness that won't go away
3. any; every:
- A lion is a dangerous animal.
4. used to show that somebody/something is a member of a group or profession:
- Their new car's a BMW.
- She's a Buddhist.
- He's a teacher.
- Is that a Monet? (= a painting by Monet)
5. used in front of two nouns that are seen as a single unit: a knife and fork
6. used instead of one before some numbers:
- A thousand people were there.
7. used when talking about prices, quantities, and rates:
[Synonym: per]
- They cost 50p a kilo.
- I can type 50 words a minute.
- He was driving at 50 miles an hour.
8. a person like somebody:
- She's a little Hitler.
9. used before somebody's name to show that the speaker does not know the person:
- There's a Mrs Green to see you.
10. used before the names of days of the week to talk about one particular day:
- She died on a Tuesday.
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