American Dictionary
Definition a in American English
a
determiner
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
determiner
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
A or an is used as an indefinite article, usually followed by a singular countable noun.
A is used when the next word begins with a consonant.
An is used when the next word begins with a vowel sound.
When a word begins with the letter “u” that is pronounced /juː/, the word is treated as starting with a consonant: a university.
When a word begins with a silent “h,” it is treated as starting with a vowel: an hour.
The names of the letters f, h, l, m, n, r, s, and x begin with vowel sounds, so abbreviations that begin with one of these letters are treated as starting with a vowel: an X-rayan SUV.
used when you are mentioning a person or a thing for the first time, or when the person listening to you does not already know about them
I have an idea.
used when you mean any person or thing of a particular type, but you are not referring to a specific one
You need a dictionary.
I don't have an umbrella.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
used when you say what class, type, or group someone or something belongs to, or what job someone has
Greece has been a republic since 1973.
used before a singular noun that represents every person or thing of a particular type
a few friends
We all appreciate a little encouragement.
used in numbers and measurements to mean "one," as in "a thousand" or "an hour"
a minute or two
Peaches are 99 cents a pound (=each pound costs 99 cents).
used before a noun that means a particular quality or feeling when the quality or feeling is described in some way
They fought back with a fierce determination that surprised the invaders.
Can I have a try?
used before the name of a particular day, season, or holiday to mean one particular Tuesday, summer, Christmas, etc.
Related Words
Words related to a: