INDEFINITE ARTICLES (A OR AN?) EXERCISE 1 (ESL)

Grammar review A or AN? The sound rule

English has two indefinite articles: a and an. The choice between them depends entirely on the sound that follows — not the letter.

Use AN before a vowel sound:
an apple, an egg, an idea, an orange, an umbrella
an hour (the h is silent → vowel sound)
an honest person, an honor (same reason)

Use A before a consonant sound:
a book, a car, a dog, a hat, a university
a university (starts with a y sound → consonant sound)
a European country, a useful tool (same reason)

The key test: Say the word out loud. Does it start with a vowel sound? → an. Consonant sound? → a.

Common traps:
• an hour ✓   a hour ✗ (silent h)
• a university ✓   an university ✗ (y sound)
• an honest ✓   a honest ✗ (silent h)