GRAMMAR LESSONS: INDEFINITE ARTICLES

Luisa C. Elago

Motivational Activity
A Wise Old Owl
A wise old owl lived in an oak The more he saw the less he spoke The less he spoke the more he heard. Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

Introduction to Articles
Indefinite Articles Definite Articles

Introduction to Articles

Indefinite Articles

A and An are the indefinite articles. refer to something that the person you are talking to does not know specifically. A and an are used before nouns that introduce something or someone you have not mentioned before.

A vs. An
You use a when the noun you are referring to begins with a Pronunciati on changes consonant (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, this rule. It's l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y or z), for example, "a city", the sound "a factory", and "a hotel". that You use an when the noun matters, not you are referring to begins the with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u)

spelling.

A vs. An

If the next word begins with a consonant sound when we say it, for example, "university" then we use a. If the next word begins with a vowel sound when we say it, for example "hour" then we use an. We say "university" with a "y" sound at the beginning as though it were spelt "youniversity". So, "a university" IS correct. We say "hour" with a silent h as though it were spelt "our". So, "an hour" IS correct.

RULE: Starting sound of the next word, not spelling

In other words,the rule on a and an is dependent on whether the next word begins with a consonant or vowel sound and not the spelling.

Examples
Using A

Using An

"I ate a banana for lunch. "I am a builder." Are you attending a university?

"I saw an elephant this morning. "I am an English teacher. This is an ice cream cone

ACTIVITY!
Group into two and arrange yourselves into a straight line. You will be playing a game against the other group, and the winning group gets prizes!

__ hotel __ book apple __ __ hotel

Run to the board and write the correct indefinite article! First one to get it right gets a point!

Activity

entrance