Indefinite articles: definition, examples and exercises
Discover indefinite articles in English, learn everything about them with videos, grammar rules and examples. Once you feel ready, you can test yourself with printable worksheets and practice with three different types of interactive exercises!
What are indefinite articles and why are they used in English?
The indefinite article is used to refer to something for the first time or to refer to a particular member of a group or class.
In English, there are two of these articles: A and AN.
Go ahead and learn all you need to know about them!
Table of contents of this lesson: Indefinite articles: definition, examples and exercises
Learn FREE with videos and interactive exercises
Indefinite articles - Videos with examples
Watch the videos and find out examples with the indefinite articles A and AN.
"I AM AN ITALIAN GIRL AND I AM A STUDENT.
I AM AN ENGLISH WOMAN AND I AM A DOCTOR.
I AM A SWEDISH WOMAN AND I AM AN HEIRESS."
"A" and "An": rules, examples and worksheet
The indefinite article A is used before a noun starting with a consonant.
The indefinite article AN is used before a noun starting with a vowel.
Examples:
- A school - A woman - A hook.
- An apple - An umbrella - An idea.
Download the worksheet below to learn and practise with the use of the Englisharticles A and AN!
Indefinite article before silent H words
According to the English grammar, nouns starting with silentH require the indefinite article AN before them:
- An hour
- An honest person
- An honour
- An heir / An heiress
Download the worksheet below to train with indefinite articles and silent H words!
Follow the basic rules and use A or AN with names of jobs.
For example:
- Mary is a doctor.
- Sheila is a teacher.
- Tom is an engineer.
- Mark is an artist.
Download the worksheet below and practise!
Grammar rules with nationalities and religions
Use A / AN with nationalities and religions in the singular.
Examples:
- John is an Englishman.
- They are Italian.
- Martha is a Catholic.
Download the worksheet below to learn and practise this important rule!