ESL BLUES

Common Errors with A, AN, SOME


  • This is an interesting book.
  • Common Error: This is a interesting book.
  • This is a unique experience. Let's enjoy it.
  • Common Error: This is an unique experience. Let's enjoy it.
  • Is this a hotel?
  • Common Error: Is this an hotel?
  • I always drink (some) water when I eat.
  • Common Error: I always drink a water when I eat.

RULES
Use a
  1. before a word that begins with a consonant.
  2. before a word that begins with 'u' when the 'u' is pronounced like the 'you' in 'youth.'
  3. before most words beginning with 'h.' EXCEPTIONS: 'hour,' 'honest,' 'heir'(see below).
Use an
  1. before a word that begins with a vowel sound.
  2. before the words 'hour,' 'honest,' 'heir' where the 'h' is not pronounced (see above).
Watch out! Don't use a or an before non-count* nouns like water, milk, money, etc. (*A non-count noun is a noun that we don't normally count. We don't normally say: "I have three moneys.")


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