English Articles

Words starting with "u" that sound like "yu"

When the letter "u" is pronounced as "yu" ("you"), the article "a" is used. For example:

·       This is a good university.

·       Her company is a unicorn in a short span.

 Words starting with "eu" that sound like "yu"

When "eu" is pronounced as "yu", "a" is used. For example:

·       She is a European.

·       This is a Euro note. 

Words starting with "one"

"One" is an exception because the "o" sound is pronounced as the consonant "w". For example:

·       Look at a one-eyed dog!

·       She is a one-man army!

Silent "h"

When the "h" is silent at the beginning of a word, the following vowel sound dictates the use of "an". For example:

·       I waited for an hour.

·       Joy is an honest boy.

Abbreviations

If an abbreviation starts with a vowel sound (even if the first letter is a consonant), "an" is used. For example:

·       She holds an MBA degree.

·       Mike is an FBI agent.

Use 'a' when the word starts with a consonant, or before words starting in u and eu when they sound like you. Use an when the next word starts with a vowel or with a mute 'h'. For example:

Ø  She saw a big elephant in the park.

Ø  She needs an umbrella as it's raining outside.

Ø  It is an honor to be here.

Ø  She is a European.

The indefinite article is used to refer to something for the first time or to refer to a particular member of a group or class. For example:

Ø  Would like to have a drink?

Ø  Did you get a job?

Use 'a' with names of jobs. For example:

Ø  She wants to be a doctor.

Ø  Joe is a dancer.

Read all the rules in the page above.