Difference Between A and An in English Grammar

a vs an in English Grammar
 

Remembering that there is a difference between a and an in English grammar can make it easier for an English language user to use these articles properly. A and an are two of the articles used in the English language. It is indeed true that both of them are indefinite articles, but they show differences in their usage and application. As any learner of English language gets to know, there are two types of articles in English. They are definite article and indefinite articles. As mentioned earlier, a and an belong to the latter category of the indefinite article. Since articles are basic grammar features, it is very important to know the correct usage of these articles.

What is A in English grammar?

The indefinite article a is used in the sense of one and it is employed before a noun as a kind of an adjective of number as in the following sentence.

Janet ate a mango fruit today morning.

In this sentence, you would get the idea that Janet ate only one mango today morning.

There is an important rule in the use of the indefinite article a in English Grammar. It is used just before nouns beginning with consonants and not vowels. There are five vowels in the English language, namely, a,e,i, o and u. The indefinite article should be used only if the noun by which it is followed begins with a consonant. Some of the examples are ‘a boy’, ‘a girl’, ‘a building’ and the like.

What is An in English grammar?

On the other hand, an is also an indefinite article in the English language and it should be used just before a noun that begins with a vowel and not with a consonant. This is the most important rule in the usage of the articles of the English language. Most grammar errors are committed in the use of the articles.

Some of the examples where the indefinite article an is used are ‘an apple’, ‘an orange’, ‘an umbrella’, ‘an ink bottle’ and the like. You would see that all the examples mentioned have words or nouns that begin with a vowel.

What is the difference between A and An in English grammar?

• The indefinite article a is used in the sense of one and it is employed before a noun as a kind of an adjective of number.

• The indefinite article a is used just before nouns beginning with consonants and not vowels.

• On the other hand, an is also an indefinite article in the English language and it should be used just before a noun that begins with a vowel and not with a consonant.

• It is important to know that adjectives also are taken into account in the application of the indefinite articles a and an as in the expressions ‘a good example’ and ‘an interesting thought indeed’. In these examples, you can see that when the adjective begins with a vowel an is used. In the same manner, when the adjective begins with a consonant even when the noun begins with a vowel a is used as in ‘a good example.’