Common Mistakes In The Use of Articles A Or An

Indefinite Article, A or An  

Common Mistakes in Using Articles in English

Why do We Use Articles in English? 

We use articles such A, An and The to indicate indefiniteness and definiteness. In other words, articles in English are used to show that some certain noun is Indefinite (nonspecific) or definite (specific). 

Below given are some common expressions to illustrate how mistakes are made commonly while using an article.  

This article specially deals with the nouns used with indefinite articles, preceded by rules to explain the reason why an indefinite article is used.

Rule 1. We use an indefinite article before a singular noun that is not specific or used for the first time. 

Examples: 

Wrong: He has interesting book to read.

Right: He has an interesting book to read. 

Rule 2. We use ‘A’ with nouns pronounced with consonant sounds, and ‘An’ with nouns pronounced with vowel sounds. 

Examples: 

Wrong: An European came to me yesterday. 

Right: A European came to me yesterday. 

Wrong: She has an one-rupee note. 

Right: She has a one-rupee note.

Rule 3. We use ‘An’ with abbreviations whose first letter is pronounced with a vowel sound.  

Examples: 

Wrong: She is M.A. 

Right: She is an M.A. 

Rule 4. Rule 2 applies to the following examples. That is, we use ‘An’ with nouns that start with ‘U’, but are pronounced with ‘Y’ sound. 

Examples: 

Wrong: My father is an university professor. 

Right: My father is a university professor.

Wrong: The students formed an union yesterday. 

Right: The students formed a union yesterday.

Rule 5. We use ‘An’ with nouns that start with a ‘mute’ or silent ‘h’, but are pronounced with vowel sounds. 

Examples: 

Wrong: She does a honorary job. 

Right: She does an honorary job. 

Rule 6. We use no indefinite articles with plural nouns. 

Examples:  

Wrong: He was wearing a red shoes. 

Right: He was wearing red shoes. 

Rule 7. We use ‘A’ or ‘An’ with singular countable nouns that represent a whole class. 

Examples: 

Wrong: Dog is a faithful animal

Right: A dog is a faithful animal. 

Rule 8. We use ‘A’ with ‘M.A.’ when it's used in its full form. 

Examples: 

Wrong: My father is an Master of Arts.

Right: My father is a Master of Arts. 

Rule 9. We use ‘A’ or ‘An’ with expression of speed and price.  

Examples: 

Wrong: Bananas are sold at 20 rupees dozen. 

Right: Bananas are sold at 20 rupees a dozen. 

Rule 10. We use ‘A’ with some phrases. ‘In a hurry’ is of them. 

Examples: 

Wrong: He is in hurry. 

Right: He is in a hurry. 

Rule 11. We use ‘A’ or ‘An’ with singular nouns used after the word, ‘Such’. 

Examples: 

Wrong: I have never seen such beautiful girl before. 

Right: I have never seen such a beautiful girl before. 

Rule 12. We use ‘A’ or ‘An’  in between the adjective and noun in the so-adjective-noun pattern. 

Examples: 

Wrong: It was so exciting badminton match. 

Right: It was so exciting a badminton match.

Rule 13. We use ‘A’ and ‘An’ before singular countable nouns in Exclamatory sentences. 

Examples: 

Wrong: What lovely girl she is! 

Right: What a lovely girl she is! 

Exercise 

Find out the error in the following sentences.

1. He is a honest man. 

2. She is a M.A. 

3. The train usually runs at 100 kms hour. 

4. Have wonderful day! 

5. He has good camera. 

Answer keys: 

1. He is an honest man.

2. She is an M.A. 

3. The train usually runs at 100 kms an hour. 

4. Have a wonderful day! 

5. He has a good camera.