<p>IndefiniteIndefinite Articles:Articles: AA // AnAn Explanation: Indefinite articles are indefinite because they do not refer specifically to the (definite article) particular object being discussed. An indefinite article refers to an object in a general sense.</p><p>Use “a” with nouns starting with a consonant (letters that are not vowels), “an” with nouns starting with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) Examples: A boy An apple Note: An before an h mute - an hour, an honor. A before u and eu when they sound like 'you': a European, a university. The indefinite article is used: To refer to something for the first time: Example: An elephant and a mouse fell in love. To refer to a particular member of a group or class: such as the names of jobs, nationalities, religions, musical instruments and days of the week. Examples: John is a doctor. John is an Englishman. Sherlock Holmes was playing a violin when the visitor arrived. I was born on a Thursday. To refer to a “kind of,” or “example of” something: Examples: The mouse had a tiny nose. The elephant had a long trunk. It was a very strange car. With singular nouns, after the words 'what' and 'such': Examples: What a shame! She's such a beautiful girl. Meaning 'one', referring to a single object or person: Examples: I'd like an orange and two lemons please. The burglar took a diamond necklace and a valuable painting. Practice: 1. Thomas is French man. 2. There is coffee shop on Wards road. 3. I will get married on Saturday afternoon. 4. I have apple in my lunch bag. 5. It is relief that you passed your final exam. 6. America is Western country. </p><p>Jared T. Mink ©2007 Liberty University Graduate Writing Center E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 592-4727</p>