The indefinite articles are "a" and "an."
They indicate a singular noun or noun phrase* is to follow.
[* a noun phrase includes adjectives]

1)  Generally, "a" comes before a consonant and "an" comes before a vowel.

The vowels in English are: a,e,i,o,u, and sometimes y The Consonants in English are: b,c,d,f,g,h,j,k,l,m,n,p,q,r,s,t,v,w,x,y,z

Article	Noun
a	dog
a	cat
a	woman
an	owl
an	elephant

TEST YOURSELF:

Select the correct indefinite article (a, an) for the following:

1.    article? a an apple
2.    article? a an student
3.    article? a an teacher
4.    article? a an young infant
5.    article? a an French poodle
6.    article? a an eraser
7.    article? a an pencil
8.    article? a an umbrella
9.    article? a an bowler
10.  article? a an friend

• Show / Hide the Answers
  
  The articles are:
  1.   an         -      6.   an
  2.   a           -      7.   a
  3.   a           -      8.   an
  4.   a           -       9.   a
  5.   a           -     10.   a
  

1)  Notice that when there is an adjective, "a" and "an" are determined by the first letter of the adjective rather than the noun.

Article	Adjective	Noun
a	dark	dog
a	dark	elephant
a	cute	antilope
a	wonderful	aunt
an	oily	dog
an	excited	child

TEST YOURSELF:

Type the correct indefinite article in the box in the following sentences:

1.    hairy ear
2.    puny elf
3.    macho accountant
4.    Ethiopian stereo
5.    tall office tower
6.    brown eye
7.    old shop
8.    sad event
9.    American doctor
10.  evil friend

• Show / Hide the Answers
  
  The articles are:
  1.   a          -      6.   a
  2.   a          -      7.   an
  3.   a          -      8.   a
  4.   an        -       9.   an
  5.   a          -     10.   an