a
/eɪ/An indefinite article used before singular nouns to indicate one of many or an unspecified quantity.
I saw a cat in the garden.
The speaker refers to one unspecified cat.
Can I have a coffee?
The speaker requests one unspecified coffee.
Used before singular countable nouns when the specific identity is unknown or irrelevant.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Choosing between 'a' and 'an'
Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., 'a book') and 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., 'an apple').
⚡Gold Rule
Indefinite Article Rule
Use 'a' or 'an' to refer to one unspecified thing or person, not a specific one.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'an', from Old English 'ān', from Proto-Germanic 'ainaz', from Proto-Indo-European 'oi-no-'.
📝Usage Notes
Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound, and 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound.