Page 124 - English Grammar - IX-X

For example:

• An opossum is a marsupial.
A or an is used before a singular countable noun where it represents a class. Here, a or an
means all or every.

For example:
• A whale is a mammal.
A or an is used before units of price, speed, ratio, weight, etc.

For example:
• These apples cost ` 80 a kilo.

A or an is used before nouns indicating profession, post, nationality, religion, etc.
For example:
• He is an architect by profession.

A or an is used before nouns indicating degrees, titles, etc.
• Sachin Tendulkar was awarded a Bharat Ratna for his sportsmanship.

A or an is also used in phrases.
For example:
• a pity, as a rule, do a favour, a shame, as a whole, have a problem, a pleasure, at a
glance, make an appointment, a noise, as a matter of fact, quite a few, a nuisance, in
a minute, take a break, a grain of truth, in a low voice, make a living/make a fortune,
a bad cold, as a result, give a lift/give a ride, a slip of the tongue, to be in a hurry, tell
a joke/tell a lie
A/an is placed before a noun. However, if there is an adjective before the noun, a or an is
placed before the adjective. The choice of a or an depends upon the sound with which the
adjective begins.
For example:

• I have subscribed to a monthly magazine. It is very informative.
A or an is not generally used with uncountable nouns. But, if an uncountable noun is used in
a particular sense, a or an can be used with it.
For example:

• I always have a coffee with my breakfast. (a cup of coffee)
Definite Article – The

The is the definite article. It can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. It specifies
a particular person, places, or thing.
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