Indefinite articles: a-an worksheet - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Indefinite articles: a-an worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Indefinite articles: a-an worksheet
Let's solve this grammar exercise step by step. The task is to fill in the blanks with "a" or "an", depending on the word that follows.
- Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound.
- Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
> Note: It's about sound, not spelling! For example, "hour" starts with 'h' but is pronounced with a silent 'h', so it starts with a vowel sound → "an hour".
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Now let’s go through each sentence:
1. I want ___ cup of coffee.
- "cup" starts with a consonant sound (/k/).
✔ a cup of coffee.
2. She has ___ interesting story to tell.
- "interesting" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an interesting story.
3. He needs ___ new pair of shoes.
- "new" starts with a consonant sound (/n/).
✔ a new pair of shoes.
4. It's ___ exciting adventure.
- "exciting" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an exciting adventure.
5. I saw ___ movie last night.
- "movie" starts with a consonant sound (/m/).
✔ a movie.
6. She adopted ___ stray cat.
- "stray" starts with a consonant sound (/s/).
✔ a stray cat.
7. He is ___ experienced teacher.
- "experienced" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an experienced teacher.
8. We had ___ amazing time at the party.
- "amazing" starts with a vowel sound (/ə/).
✔ an amazing time.
9. She bought ___ beautiful dress.
- "beautiful" starts with a consonant sound (/b/).
✔ a beautiful dress.
10. I need ___ umbrella because it's raining.
- "umbrella" starts with a vowel sound (/ʌ/).
✔ an umbrella.
11. He is ___ talented musician.
- "talented" starts with a consonant sound (/t/).
✔ a talented musician.
12. It's ___ sunny day.
- "sunny" starts with a consonant sound (/s/).
✔ a sunny day.
13. She found ___ old book at the bookstore.
- "old" starts with a vowel sound (/oʊ/).
✔ an old book.
14. We saw ___ elephant at the zoo.
- "elephant" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an elephant.
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1. I want a cup of coffee.
2. She has an interesting story to tell.
3. He needs a new pair of shoes.
4. It's an exciting adventure.
5. I saw a movie last night.
6. She adopted a stray cat.
7. He is an experienced teacher.
8. We had an amazing time at the party.
9. She bought a beautiful dress.
10. I need an umbrella because it's raining.
11. He is a talented musician.
12. It's a sunny day.
13. She found an old book at the bookstore.
14. We saw an elephant at the zoo.
---
- Use "an" before words beginning with a vowel sound: *interesting, exciting, amazing, umbrella, old, elephant*.
- Use "a" before words beginning with a consonant sound: *cup, new, movie, stray, experienced, beautiful, talented, sunny, book*.
Even though "umbrella" starts with 'u', it's pronounced with a short /ʌ/ sound (like "uh"), which is a vowel sound — so we use "an".
✔ All done! This is a great practice for understanding the difference between "a" and "an" based on sound, not just spelling.
🔤 Rule Reminder:
- Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound.
- Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
> Note: It's about sound, not spelling! For example, "hour" starts with 'h' but is pronounced with a silent 'h', so it starts with a vowel sound → "an hour".
---
Now let’s go through each sentence:
1. I want ___ cup of coffee.
- "cup" starts with a consonant sound (/k/).
✔ a cup of coffee.
2. She has ___ interesting story to tell.
- "interesting" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an interesting story.
3. He needs ___ new pair of shoes.
- "new" starts with a consonant sound (/n/).
✔ a new pair of shoes.
4. It's ___ exciting adventure.
- "exciting" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an exciting adventure.
5. I saw ___ movie last night.
- "movie" starts with a consonant sound (/m/).
✔ a movie.
6. She adopted ___ stray cat.
- "stray" starts with a consonant sound (/s/).
✔ a stray cat.
7. He is ___ experienced teacher.
- "experienced" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an experienced teacher.
8. We had ___ amazing time at the party.
- "amazing" starts with a vowel sound (/ə/).
✔ an amazing time.
9. She bought ___ beautiful dress.
- "beautiful" starts with a consonant sound (/b/).
✔ a beautiful dress.
10. I need ___ umbrella because it's raining.
- "umbrella" starts with a vowel sound (/ʌ/).
✔ an umbrella.
11. He is ___ talented musician.
- "talented" starts with a consonant sound (/t/).
✔ a talented musician.
12. It's ___ sunny day.
- "sunny" starts with a consonant sound (/s/).
✔ a sunny day.
13. She found ___ old book at the bookstore.
- "old" starts with a vowel sound (/oʊ/).
✔ an old book.
14. We saw ___ elephant at the zoo.
- "elephant" starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/).
✔ an elephant.
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✔ Final Answers:
1. I want a cup of coffee.
2. She has an interesting story to tell.
3. He needs a new pair of shoes.
4. It's an exciting adventure.
5. I saw a movie last night.
6. She adopted a stray cat.
7. He is an experienced teacher.
8. We had an amazing time at the party.
9. She bought a beautiful dress.
10. I need an umbrella because it's raining.
11. He is a talented musician.
12. It's a sunny day.
13. She found an old book at the bookstore.
14. We saw an elephant at the zoo.
---
📝 Explanation Summary:
- Use "an" before words beginning with a vowel sound: *interesting, exciting, amazing, umbrella, old, elephant*.
- Use "a" before words beginning with a consonant sound: *cup, new, movie, stray, experienced, beautiful, talented, sunny, book*.
Even though "umbrella" starts with 'u', it's pronounced with a short /ʌ/ sound (like "uh"), which is a vowel sound — so we use "an".
✔ All done! This is a great practice for understanding the difference between "a" and "an" based on sound, not just spelling.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of a or an worksheet.
