"a" or "an": What is the correct choice?

This is something we all learn at our English classes, right from the earliest. However, as we are introduced to new words, and as they pile up, it becomes confusing to decide. "Should I use "a" before this particular word?" or " Should i use "an" instead?"

Before we go ahead

Vowels: A E I O U

Consonants: The remaining 21 letters

How we use "a" or "an" depends on the SOUND we hear, in the beginning. It relies on how we say the particular word.

Vowel sounds + an

As discussed already, there are five specific letters ( or sounds) which we call as the vowels. They are A E I O and U. For all the words, which has one of these sounds at the beginning, we use an.

• an orange
• an umbrella
• an ice-cream
• an egg
• an astronaut

Consonant sounds + a

The 21 letters apart from the five vowel letters are called consonants. So, for any word with a consonant sound as a start, we use a.

• a fish
• a biscuit
• a chicken
• a sofa
• a sink

Some words are unique - Be careful!

"Hmm... why do we say a university instead of an university? isn't U a vowel letter?" You might have had this confusion several times.

An hour? An year? A unicorn? Why!!?😕

REMEMBER!

Usually, when we see that a word has started with a vowel letter, we immediately decide to use an. Similarly, for the words beginning with consonants, we see the first letter, we write a.

But, do you notice that, for some words, the sound doesn't match. It sounds very odd.

When we say A year, it sounds awkward. A and year doesn't seem to be good partners.

This is because, for some words, even though they start with a vowel or consonant, the sound is the opposite. 

See these examples:

• a university (you-ni-ver-si-ty) - The letter is vowel but the sound is consonant. 
• an year ( e-ar) - The letter is consonant but the sound is vowel

Always remember that Sound is the key- Not the written letter!

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TIME TO WORK!

Lets see how well you understood this lesson!