a & an

Contents

Introduction	What does 'a' & 'an' do?
Section 1	Why we use 'a' or 'an'
Section 2	Difference between 'a' and 'an'
Section 3	Exercises

This mark tells you a useful RULE

Introduction:

What does a (& an) do?

First, it helps to know what articles do to the meaning of sentences. This is because their use depends on the way we focus on things in the world.

Q: So, what do you think is in focus in the next 2 sentences? Click on their faces to see the answers.

At the airport... Amy
“I have a magazine
to read on the plane.”

Grandpa
“I havethe TIME magazine to read on the plane.”

We use *a (an)* when the focus is *nonspecific*.	What is *nonspecific*?
	click to find out

Lesson 1 will look at how we use nonspecific a and an.

Section 1

Why we use ‘a’ or ‘an’

‘Let’s go to a party.’

When we say 'a party', we don't know what sort of party it might be because it is nonspecific. We focus on the fact that we will go to a party, not to see a movie or anything else.

Here are some more examples.
Amy and Tom are listening to Grandpa talk. Let's see what is specific or nonspecific for Amy and Grandpa. The Grid will help you sort it out. Remember, it is Grandpa who's talking.

	SPECIFIC for Grandpa	NONSPECIFIC for Grandpa
SPECIFIC for Amy	1. Come and sit on *the* sofa. WHY? (click)	2. You said you saw a ghost at school. WHY? (click)
NONSPECIFIC for Amy	3. Well, I once saw a ghost too... WHY? (click)	4. When I was young, I didn't have a house. WHY? (click)

You see, if it is nonspecific for either Grandpa or for Amy, then a or an is used.

Section 2

Difference between ‘a’ and ‘an’

Before vowel sounds, we use an. (Before consonant sounds, we use a)

Q: Try to complete the following sentences. Choose between a or an. Click to see the answers.

1	Dumbo is ...... imaginary elephant.
2	My girl friend is ...... helicopter pilot.
3	If you can make 20 pizzas in ..... hour, you're hired.