Choose whether to introduce a thing or stress its quantity.
The idea
A introduces one singular countable thing; use an before a vowel sound. One emphasizes the number.
| Form | Use |
|---|---|
| a / an | introducing a singular countable thing |
| one | emphasizing the number |
Examples
- I have a pencil.
- She sees a bird.
- We need a chair.
- Only one cup is clean.
- I want one apple, not two.
- There is one bus today.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not use a before a vowel sound: say an apple.
Try it yourself
Introduce a book without stressing the number. I found ___ book. (a / one)
Show answer or example answer
a
a introduces a book without emphasizing the count.
Emphasize one ticket rather than two. I need ___ ticket, not two. (a / one)
Show answer or example answer
one
one contrasts with two.
Choose the article before a vowel sound. She has ___ orange. (a / an)
Show answer or example answer
an
an precedes the vowel sound in orange.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Introduce a book without stressing the number. I found ___ book. (a / one)
Emphasize one ticket rather than two. I need ___ ticket, not two. (a / one)
Choose the article before a vowel sound. She has ___ orange. (a / an)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Name an object, then say that you need only one.