This document discusses the rules for using "a" versus "an" in the English language. It explains that "a" is used before singular nouns that start with consonant sounds, while "an" is used before singular nouns that start with vowel sounds. It provides examples of words that take "a" and "an", and notes that the determination is based on the starting sound of the word, not necessarily the starting letter. The document emphasizes that the choice of "a" or "an" depends on whether the first sound of the word is a vowel sound or a consonant sound.

1. 11-1 A vs. An
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2. I have a pencil.
I live in an apartment.
Aandanareusedin
frontofasingular
noun.Theymean
“one.”

3. If a singular noun is modified by
an adjective, a or an comes in
front of the adjective
I have a small apartment.
I live in an old building.
Aandanareusedin
frontofasingular
noun.Theymean
“one.”

4. A is used in front of words that
begin with the sounds of a
consonant.
a boy
a bad day
a cat
a cute baby
Aandanareusedin
frontofasingular
noun.Theymean
“one.”

5. An is used in front of words that
begin with the sounds of a vowel.
an apartment
an angry man
an elephant
an empty room
Aandanareusedin
frontofasingular
noun.Theymean
“one.”

6. For example, an is used before u if
u makes the vowel sound /ə /
an umbrella
an uncle
an unusual day
Useofaoranis
basedonthe
followingfirstsound,
notthefirstletter.

7. For example, a is used before u if
u makes the consonant sound /y /
a university
a unit
a usual event
Useofaoranis
basedonthe
followingfirstsound,
notthefirstletter.

8. For example, a is used before h if
it starts with the /h/ sound
a house
a happy person
a holiday
Useofaoranis
basedonthe
followingfirstsound,
notthefirstletter.

9. For example, an is used before h if
h is silent
an hour
an honor
an honest person
Useofaoranis
basedonthe
followingfirstsound,
notthefirstletter.