Use the word a before nouns or adjectives that begin with a consonant sound.
example: I listened to a terrific song on the radio.
Use the word an before nouns or adjectives that begin with a vowel sound.
example: I saw an exciting movie last night.
Remember, an is used when a word begins with a vowel sound. Sometimes a word can begin with a vowel, but start with a consonant sound.
example: Inches are a unit of measurement on a ruler.
The word unit begins with the consonant y-sound (yoo-nit), so you would use the article a.
Sometimes a word will begin with a silent consonant, but a vowel sound. When this happens you use an.
example: Mr. Bolivia is an honest man. Even though honest begins with a consonant, the h is silent.
The word begins with a vowel sound, so you would use an.
Directions: Write the word a or an on each line to complete each sentence.
I ate dinner over ______ hour ago.
Dad made ______ delicious pork roast.
My brother is ______ soldier in the army.
He wears ______ uniform.
Samuel painted ____ unusual picture.
It was a picture of ____ unicorn on a space ship.
Do you have ____ extra pencil?
My pencil broke during _____ English test.
Kelly broke ____ bone in his leg.
He went to the hospital for ____ x-ray.
My sister will attend ____ university when she finishes high school.