Mastering Article Usage in English

To define a noun as specific or unspecific

To describe the action of a verb

To express emotions

To connect two sentences

a

none

the

an

a

an

the

none

none

the

an

a

Because 'hour' is a common noun

Because 'hour' starts with a vowel letter

Because 'hour' is pronounced with a vowel sound

Because 'hour' is a specific noun

When referring to a plural noun

When referring to something specific

When referring to an action

When referring to something unspecific

a

none

an

the

an

a

none

the

Use 'a' for plural nouns and 'an' for singular nouns

Use 'a' before vowel sounds and 'an' before consonant sounds

Use 'a' before consonant sounds and 'an' before vowel sounds

Use 'a' and 'an' interchangeably

none

an

the

a