STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION SKILL 53: DISTINGUISH A AND AN

LONGMAN COMPLETE COURSE FOR THE TOEFL TEST

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

SKILL 53: DISTINGUISH A AND AN

The basic difference between a and an is that a is used in front of consonants and an is used in front of vowels (a, i, u, e, o)

a book	an orange
a man	an illness
a page	an automobile

There are two exceptions to this rule: u and h. when u is pronounced like the consonant y (as in usual), it is preceded by the article a rather than an. When h not pronounced (as in honor), it is preceded by the article an rather than a. pronounce the following examples:

a university	un unhappy man	a hospital	an honor
a unit	an understanding	a heart	an herb

The following chart outlines the key information about the use of a and an:

EXERCISE 53: Each of the following sentences contains a or an. Circle each a or an. Underline the beginning of the word that directly follows. Pronounce the word. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

……………	3	It is raining, so you should bring a umbrella.
……………	4	He bought a half gallon of milk and a box of a hundred envelopes.
……………	5	An objection was raised because it was such a unacceptable idea.
……………	6	The workers at the plant do not belong to a union.
……………	7	The police officer was not wearing an uniform when she arrested the suspect.
……………	8	If you do not give me a hand, finishing the project on time will be an impossibility.
……………	9	She was upset when a honest mistake was made.
……………	10	She opened a account at a local department store.

ANSWER KEY

1	I	(should be an hour)
2	C
3	I	(should be an umbrella)
4	C
5	I	(should be an unacceptable idea)
6	C
7	I	(should be a uniform)
8	C
9	I	(should be an honest mistake)
10	I	(should be an account)