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Elementary: A or An?

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The choice of article (a or an) depends on the sound of the first letter in a word, not always on how it is written.

An is used with words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u), the rest are used with a.

Complete the following exchanges with a or an:

  • 1) A: Would you like __ glass of water?



  • 2) B: No, thank you. I just had __ orange juice.



  • 2) A: Do you have __ dictionary?



  • 2) B: Yes. I have __ English/Portuguese one.



  • 3) A: I'm so hungry! I've only had __ apple today.



  • 3) B: Come on! I'll buy you __ hotdog!



  • 4) A: Caroline bought __ new dress for the party.



  • 4) B: I should go shopping! I don't have __ thing to wear.



  • 5) A: Could I borrow __ pencil please?



  • 5) B: Sure. Here's one with __ eraser attached.



  • 6) A: I heard __ new Madonna song today.



  • 6) B: I don’t like it. I think she is __ awful singer.



  • 7) A: My brother has got __ new mobile phone.



  • 7) B: Really? I should get __ new one too.



  • 8) A: Calvin has __ date tonight.



  • 8) B: I know. She is __ actress!



  • 9) A: We have __ new neighbour.



  • 9) B: Is she the one who drives __ red car?



  • 10) A: I saw __ elephant at the zoo.



  • 10) B: What kind? __ African elephant?