The words "a", "an", and "the" are special adjectives called articles. Articles define nouns as either specific or unspecific. "A" and "an" are indefinite articles. Indefinite articles are used before singular nouns and countable nouns that are not specified. You cannot use "a" or "an" before plural nouns or uncountable nouns.
"A" is used before nouns starting with consonants letters (letters other than a, e, i, o, u). "A" is also used with words that sound like they start with a consonant even if they start with a vowel (university, unit, one). "An" is used before nouns starting with vowels (a, e, i, o, u) or with a silent h (hour, honor).
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
1) Do you have __________ cat?
2) Does the hotel have __________ elevator?
3) He lives on __________ farm.
4) I want to eat __________ hamburger.
5) Sarah lost __________ earring.
6) Emily saw __________ mouse.
7) Joseph needs __________ napkin.
8) My car needs __________ oil change.
9) We called __________ plumber.
10) My husband bought __________ television.
11) I attend __________ university.
12) It is __________ honor to meet you.
Directions: Choose the correct answer.
1) I am watching __________ movie.
a. X
b. an
c. a
2) They are riding __________ bikes.
a. X
b. an
c. a
3) We need __________ oxygen to breathe.
a. X
b. an
c. a
4) I need __________ pencil.
a. X
b. an
c. a
5) I am eating __________ eggs for breakfast.
a. X
b. an
c. a
6) Please bring me __________ glass of water.
a. X
b. an
c. a
7) He built __________ igloo.
a. X
b. an
c. a
8) I will be there in __________ hour.
a. X
b. an
c. a
9) Do you have __________ towel?
a. X
b. an
c. a
10) We saw __________ elephant at the zoo.
a. X
b. an
c. a
Quiz 1 Answers
1) a. a
2) b. an
3) a. a
4) a. a
5) b. an
6) a. a
7) a. a
8) b. an
9) a. a
10) a. a
11) a. a
12) b. an
Quiz 2 Answers
1) c. a
2) a. X
3) a. X
4) c. a
5) a. X
6) c. a
7) b. an
8) b. an
9) c. a
10) b. an
