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The use of “an” instead of “a” in American English is not just based on the first letter being a vowel. It depends on the sound of the word, with classic vowel sounds taking “an”. Words with a silent “h” and some words with “o” or “u” may also take “an”. Indefinite articles can also be used before numbers or letters based on their opening sound.
In American English, there are several instances where you would use “an” instead of “a” to speak or write correctly. Both “a” and “a” are called indefinite articles because they don’t tend to be as specific as other forms of articles like “the.” If you say, “I was talking to a dog,” that’s not exactly the same as saying, “I was talking to the dog.” “I want a sandwich” isn’t quite as specific as “I want the sandwich you’re holding.”
Many people are taught the rule that it’s important to use “an” instead of “a” when words start with a vowel. This isn’t exactly accurate. Some words starting with a vowel are better preceded by “a” instead of “an”. Actually the difference is in the way the word sounds, not the letter it starts with. If the initial sound of the word sounds like a consonant but begins with a vowel, paying attention to that sound can help you decide that words like the following take “an” instead of “a.” Here are a few words where it’s easy to determine that “an” is the appropriate choice:
An apple, an orange, an only child, an Italian, an early departure, an eel, an unusual situation.
The vowel sounds produced in the first sound of each word in the above examples are classic vowel sounds, such as A short, O long, I short, E short, E long, and U short. These words, when they begin with such sounds, tend to take “an” instead of “a”. Also, words with a silent “h” like “herb” and “heir” often take “an” instead of “a.” In British English, you’ll find a few more words that drop the he sound that takes “an” than in American English.
There are words that start with vowels that will take “a” instead of “an”. The long U sound in words like ukulele, usual, useful, actually produces a “y” sound at the beginning comparable to the opening sounds in words like youthfull. While it seems to make sense to use “an” instead of “a” since these words start with a vowel, it’s not just about the letter, it’s about the sound. You would use “a” before ukulele, useful or usual. Also, some words with an “o” such as one and once, sound an initial “W” and get an “a”. Examples include: a once in a lifetime opportunity, a useful instrument, and a ukulele.
Finally, you could use an indefinite article before a number or letter. Here, be guided by the opening sound of the number or letter. An H, an 8, an O, an A and an S are correct, as are a 1, a 7, a T, a U and a 2. Make sure the opening sound is a pure vowel, not a hidden consonant sound , when you plan to use “an” instead of “a”.
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