English A1 Common Mistakes #083: Common mistakes with a / an and simple daily nouns
Target language: English
Level: A1
Lesson type: Common Mistakes and Corrections
Lesson number: #083
Available explanations:
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Lesson 83: Common Mistakes and Corrections — a / an
Goal: Learn the difference between a and an in very short daily English sentences.
Quick review from earlier lessons:
- We used simple daily words like apple, pen, orange.
- We practiced short sentences like This is ... and That is ....
- Now we learn a small but important correction: use a before a consonant sound, and an before a vowel sound.
5 useful words:
1) a — reading: uh — meaning: one / a
Usage note: Use a before a word that starts with a consonant sound.
2) an — reading: an — meaning: one / an
Usage note: Use an before a word that starts with a vowel sound.
3) apple — reading: ap-uhl — meaning: fruit
Usage note: Apple starts with a vowel sound, so we say an apple.
4) pen — reading: pen — meaning: writing tool
Usage note: Pen starts with a consonant sound, so we say a pen.
5) orange — reading: or-inj — meaning: fruit
Usage note: Orange starts with a vowel sound, so we say an orange.
5 example sentences:
1) I have an apple.
Reading: ai hav an ap-uhl
Meaning: I have one apple.
Note: Use an before apple.
2) She has a pen.
Reading: shi haz uh pen
Meaning: She has one pen.
Note: Use a before pen.
3) He sees an orange.
Reading: hi sihz an or-inj
Meaning: He sees one orange.
Note: Use an before orange.
4) This is a pen.
Reading: dhis iz uh pen
Meaning: This is one pen.
Note: Use a before pen.
5) That is an apple.
Reading: dhat iz an ap-uhl
Meaning: That is one apple.
Note: Use an before apple.
Important usage notes:
- a + consonant sound: a pen, a book, a dog.
- an + vowel sound: an apple, an orange, an egg.
- We listen to the sound, not only the first letter.
- In English, apple and orange use an because they begin with vowel sounds.
Mini practice:
Choose a or an.
1) I have ___ apple.
2) She has ___ pen.
3) This is ___ orange.
4) That is ___ pen.
5) He sees ___ apple.
Answer key:
1) an
2) a
3) an
4) a
5) an
Reply instruction:
Write your answers in a short reply like this:
1) an
2) a
3) an
4) a
5) an
If you want, you can also write one new sentence with a or an.
Reply format: Start your reply with your explanation language code, e.g. [TR], [EN], [AR], [RU], [ES], [DE], [FR], [IT].
Target language: English
Level: A1
Lesson type: Common Mistakes and Corrections
Lesson number: #083
Available explanations:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lesson 83: Common Mistakes and Corrections — a / an
Goal: Learn the difference between a and an in very short daily English sentences.
Quick review from earlier lessons:
- We used simple daily words like apple, pen, orange.
- We practiced short sentences like This is ... and That is ....
- Now we learn a small but important correction: use a before a consonant sound, and an before a vowel sound.
5 useful words:
1) a — reading: uh — meaning: one / a
Usage note: Use a before a word that starts with a consonant sound.
2) an — reading: an — meaning: one / an
Usage note: Use an before a word that starts with a vowel sound.
3) apple — reading: ap-uhl — meaning: fruit
Usage note: Apple starts with a vowel sound, so we say an apple.
4) pen — reading: pen — meaning: writing tool
Usage note: Pen starts with a consonant sound, so we say a pen.
5) orange — reading: or-inj — meaning: fruit
Usage note: Orange starts with a vowel sound, so we say an orange.
5 example sentences:
1) I have an apple.
Reading: ai hav an ap-uhl
Meaning: I have one apple.
Note: Use an before apple.
2) She has a pen.
Reading: shi haz uh pen
Meaning: She has one pen.
Note: Use a before pen.
3) He sees an orange.
Reading: hi sihz an or-inj
Meaning: He sees one orange.
Note: Use an before orange.
4) This is a pen.
Reading: dhis iz uh pen
Meaning: This is one pen.
Note: Use a before pen.
5) That is an apple.
Reading: dhat iz an ap-uhl
Meaning: That is one apple.
Note: Use an before apple.
Important usage notes:
- a + consonant sound: a pen, a book, a dog.
- an + vowel sound: an apple, an orange, an egg.
- We listen to the sound, not only the first letter.
- In English, apple and orange use an because they begin with vowel sounds.
Mini practice:
Choose a or an.
1) I have ___ apple.
2) She has ___ pen.
3) This is ___ orange.
4) That is ___ pen.
5) He sees ___ apple.
Answer key:
1) an
2) a
3) an
4) a
5) an
Reply instruction:
Write your answers in a short reply like this:
1) an
2) a
3) an
4) a
5) an
If you want, you can also write one new sentence with a or an.
Reply format: Start your reply with your explanation language code, e.g. [TR], [EN], [AR], [RU], [ES], [DE], [FR], [IT].