Section 2 : Rules of Using Indefinite Articles

Section 2 :  Rules of Using Indefinite Articles

1.  'A' is used before a consonant: 

Example: a dog, a cat, a pen, a table

2. 'An' is used before a vowel.

Example: an animal, an orange, an article, an apple, an umbrella. 

3. If the pronunciation of vowel comes before the consonant, 'An' is used.

Example: An MLA / SDO / SDM / M.Sc. / hour  

4. If the vowel is pronounced as 'U'(as in 'union') or 'Oa' (as in 'one')

Example: 

A one-rupee note / one-act play / university / union / European. 

5. If the pronunciation of 'h' is silent, 'an' is used.

Example: An hour / honourable man / honest man. 

6. An indefinite article is used before a proper noun to refer to an indefinite person.

Example: A Mr. Das has come. (=A person named Mr. Das has come) 

7. An indefinite article is used before a proper noun to refer to compare a person with another great person. 

Example: You are a Kalidas, I see. (= Your poetic skill is like that of Kalidas)