A or an is determined by the noun that follows. If the noun begins with a consonant, you use a. Example: He bought a car. If the noun begins with a vowel, you use an. Example: He bought an automobile. Hope this clears it up for you.
2007-03-06 01:47:11
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answer #1
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answered by ladybluewings 2
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The general rule that applies in most cases is that you only use "an" if the first letter of the next word is a vowel (a, e, i, o or u - for example "an apple", "an umbrella"). Any other time, you should use "a" (for example, "a banana", "a yellow submarine").
There are two exception where the rule above doesn't work because of the way you pronounce the first letter of the next word.
1. If the first letter of the next word is a vowel, but has a "hard" sound, you should use "a" (for example, "a unicorn" is correct). The reason is that you pronounce the vowel as though it has a "y" in front of it.
2. Likewise, if the word starts with the letter "h", but you pronounce as though the "h" is silent (it will sound like the word starts with a voewl), you should use "an". For example, "a hot drink" is correct because the "h" is pronounced, but "an honest man" is also correct, because the "h" is silent.
There aren't many words that fit into these two categories though, so you should be safe using the general rule.
2007-03-06 01:54:51
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answer #2
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answered by Craig H 3
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This is simple. Both "a" and "an" are articles that come before a noun. When the noun starts with a consonant, use the word "a." When the noun starts with a vowel or a silent "h," use the word "an." Here are some examples:
AN apple A day keeps the doctor away.
He puts salt on A cucumber and sugar on AN apple.
Get it?
2007-03-06 01:48:06
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answer #3
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answered by patev1234 1
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Hi. As far as I know a is used before a noun starting with a conson and an is used before a vowel. Exp: a butterfly, an umbrella. I Hope It helps.
2007-03-06 03:08:15
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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A is used if the first sound of the next word is of a consonant; an is used if the first sound of the next word is of a vowel.
2007-03-06 02:05:05
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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2016-10-17 09:43:57
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answer #6
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answered by ? 4
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You use "a" before a word that begins with a consonant.
Ex: a dog, a cat, a ball, a blue door
You use "an" before a word that begins with a vowel (A,E, I, O, U).
Ex: an idea, an imagination, an elephant, an exception
2007-03-06 05:20:51
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answer #7
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answered by danne_2102 2
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