Articles : uses of a / an
1. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to introduce new information. The listener does not know which person or thing we are talking about.
I have a suggestion to make.
I’m not unemployed any more. I’ve started a business of my own.
2. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to refer to something for the first time.
I have an idea I’d like to discuss.
I’m going for an interview at Siemens next week.
3. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to refer to one of a group of things.
Can you pass me a paper clip from that box?
4. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to describe someone’s job.
Fiona is a financial consultant.
5. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ with an adjective to describe something.
Cairo is an enormous city.
6. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ in expressions of measurement. ‘Per’ can also be used.
Twice a/per month
300 units an/per hour
We charge €200 an/per hour.
7. We use ‘a’ or ‘an’ to mean ‘one’.
I get over a hundred emails every day.
8. ‘a’ / ‘an’ mean ‘one’, so we cannot use ‘a’ / ‘an’ with plurals or uncountable nouns. We use ‘the’ or ‘some’.
Can you give me the/some information?
This report is about the/some research we’re doing?
9. We use ‘a’ or ‘an’ when the person or thing we are talking about is not specific.
We need to call a technician.
I have a suggestion to make.
I’m not unemployed any more. I’ve started a business of my own.
2. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to refer to something for the first time.
I have an idea I’d like to discuss.
I’m going for an interview at Siemens next week.
3. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to refer to one of a group of things.
Can you pass me a paper clip from that box?
4. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ to describe someone’s job.
Fiona is a financial consultant.
5. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ with an adjective to describe something.
Cairo is an enormous city.
6. We use ‘a’ / ‘an’ in expressions of measurement. ‘Per’ can also be used.
Twice a/per month
300 units an/per hour
We charge €200 an/per hour.
7. We use ‘a’ or ‘an’ to mean ‘one’.
I get over a hundred emails every day.
8. ‘a’ / ‘an’ mean ‘one’, so we cannot use ‘a’ / ‘an’ with plurals or uncountable nouns. We use ‘the’ or ‘some’.
Can you give me the/some information?
This report is about the/some research we’re doing?
9. We use ‘a’ or ‘an’ when the person or thing we are talking about is not specific.
We need to call a technician.