English Dictionary
Definition a in British 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 MPan HGV.
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.
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
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
Tomatoes are £1.20 a kilo (=each kilo costs £1.20).
The car was travelling at 90 miles an hour.
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: