Easy English Lesson: Should you use “A” or “AN”?

TRANSCRIPT

Hello. I'm Gill from engVid, back to give you another lesson on an aspect of English, and today we're looking at the indefinite article, which is "a" and "an", and when to use each one. So: "a", "an", indefinite article. So, there's one main rule to this that you use "a" before a consonant sound and "an" before a vowel sound. But as you'll see, sometimes there are some little exceptions where you just have to bear something in mind to do with how the word is pronounced, rather than how it's spelt. You'll see that as we go through.

So, just to look at the list here, the letter "a", some people will say: "a" which is okay if you're emphasizing it, but normally we just pronounce it "uh". So: "uh bag", "uh coat", you don't say: "a bag", "a coat". It doesn't sound very, you know, normal. So: "a bag", "a coat", "a dress". And then here's the first exception to the rule, this word is spelt with an "E", it begins with an "E", which you might think: "Well, that's one of the vowels: a, e, i, o u. Why is a vowel here for 'E'?" And the answer is that when you pronounce this word you're making a "y" sound, so it's not "e", "e", "European", it's: "Yuropean", so: "a European", and that's why there are sometimes these exceptions, so that is one of them.

Okay. So, then, continuing: "a fridge", "a giraffe", "a kitchen", "a map", "a sound". And again, letter "u" is a vowel, but the pronunciation is this "y" sound again, so: "a university". Okay, so it's important to know how the word sounds before you know whether to write "a" or "an". Okay? So I hope that's clear.

So let's move on to the other column. This one, "an" comes before a vowel sound. And, again, we pronounce it... This is: "a", this is "un", "un". We don't say: "an". People do, again, for emphasis, but: "un", because this is a very small, little word, it's not one of the most important words in a sentence, we don't usually emphasize it. So: "an artist", "an exhibition", "an insult". If you're not sure what "insult" is, if someone says something bad about you, they've... That's an insult. If you... If you hear them as well, you say: "That's an insult. How can you insult me like that?" So, that's an insult, an insult.

"An offer", make me an offer. "An upset", again, if you're not sure of the word "upset", if you hear somebody insulting you, you will become upset and it becomes an upset. That was an upset when I heard that insult. So: "an upset". Okay? And then, finally, one other exception, here's one beginning with "h", but it's one of the small number of words beginning with "h" where you don't pronounce the "h", so it's pronounced: "onour", so it's as if it began with an "o", so: "an honour". We don't say: "h-onour", it's: "onour", so: "an honour". So, that's another little exception. Okay, so I hope that's clear. And we'll now move on to a second board, where I'll give you a little test where you can choose which of these two to put in the gaps. Okay.

Okay, so now we have a test, and it's for you to decide whether to put "a" or "an" in each gap. Okay, so let's go.

"Do you have _____ pen?"
Which would you put there? "Do you have a pen?" Okay? Because "p" is a consonant, "pen". "A pen", okay.

"I'm looking for _____ cup."
What would you put there? So: "I'm looking for a cup", because "c" is another consonant. Okay?

Next one:
"Shall we boil _____ egg? Shall we boil _____ egg?"
So "e", is that a consonant or is it a vowel? So, it's a vowel, isn't it? So it's: "Shall we boil an egg?" Okay. Right.

Next one:
"How much is _____ Euro worth?"
"Worth" meaning: What is the value of...? Maybe compared to dollars or pounds. So: "How much is _____ Euro worth?" Euro, it's an "E", but remember it's also about how it sounds. So, when you say: "Yuro", you're making a "y" sound, like that: "ya". So, it's not "an" in this case, it's "a". "How much is a Euro worth?" Okay. Right.

So, next one. This is an ominous thing that sometimes people say:
"We need to have _____ talk."
And you think: "Oh my goodness, what is this going to be about?" Anyway. "We need to have a talk." Okay? Because "t" is another consonant. "A talk". Right.

Next one. You see a tree with apples growing, and you feel like eating one, so you say:
"I'm going to pick _____ apple."
So, which one would you put there? "I'm going to pick an apple." Because "a" is a vowel sound, okay.

Next one:
"They used to have _____ dog."

[engvidAlex]

It's always good to review the basics. Some people forget that it's the SOUND that's important for determining whether to use "a" or "an" and not the head letter of the noun. This is really the trickiest part of it for some students, but it becomes easier with practice. It works with some adjectives preceding nouns as well.

An honest person. (aw-nist)
A European villa.

Nice one, Gill!

[dolorscirera]

I can't stop myself listening your accent, it's really music to my ears; thanks so much, god bless you gill:

[larrymoran_THE_CODGER]

August 20, 2022 - After trying to get my question just right for Google search to answer my question regarding the use of "a" and "an". Google search finally offered this video along with some others. Thank you to Gill for very clearly explaining how and why those words should be used. I know a lot of people wish they had her as their teacher in school like I do.

[notyetreadybr]

As a fellow teacher, I must say, young lady, you are awesome! Thank you so much! I use your videos to help my students and they just love them!

[RigzoTV]

You are the best EngVid teacher . Please do more RP or English Literature lessons.

[ahaley]

Thank you for this video. Not only is it great information for my students, but the first half is wonderful for having them practice note-taking without overwhelming them.

[juliafatcat]

it's really helpful. I can learn everything from here.u are good teacher

[QueenMALAKI]

I loved how you explained this topic. Thank you for sharing.

[calvincoates]

Outstanding! You are a very good teacher.
Thank you,
Janice

[drxluis]

Thank you so much for this explanation. It is so good to listen to your clear and soft pronunciation of the sounds.

[EnglishWithMrBakhri]

Thank you for the lesson! It's so insightful. I've just seen a video by a native English teacher and unfortunately, she uses letters to determine what article to use, which is misleading. It's all about sounds and whether the noun is singular, countable, or uncountable.

[Allyssandro_]

I love your videos... You are so angeled. I know your channel is a fraction of the entire EngVid channels, but I only watch yours. You are so lovely...

[TheFaceOfYourLove]

OMG, I've loved this video lesson, as an English language learner, this video helped me a lot! Thanks!

[jesusalfonsotortoleromarti]

Hi, dear teacher! I was missing you! Thank you again.

[ninis]

Thank u for your explanation Gill!! :) Gbu always. Love from Indonesia.

[mjosemunoz]

I love your video. I understand everything so clear..thanks Gill !!😊

[preci]

Hi teacher Jell, thank you for sharing your expertise in teaching English grammar. You've been so passionate that made me realise age doesn't matter if you are willing to teach because you can.Ive been watching your videos and following it.
#Philippines

[arjunram]

Mam your teaching is very perfect we can learn it easily, Explain about one more articles THE. Thank you mam

[gamekyuc]

You solved alot of my English issues .Hope you have good things.

[Abdi_sulaiman]

Correct 8/10. Not perfect as beginner but it's okay still learning.