> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://scribo.gitbook.io/scribo-writing-tips/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://scribo.gitbook.io/scribo-writing-tips/a-or-an.md).

# A or An?

## When to Say *a* or *an*

The indefinite article is ***a*** or ***an***. But how do we know when to say ***a*** and when to say ***an***?

The rule is really very simple. It depends on the **SOUND** at the start of the following word. (It does not depend on the way we WRITE the following word, it depends on the way we SAY it.)

### *a* + consonant SOUND

If the following word starts with a consonant SOUND, then we say ***a :***

* a **d**og
* a **g**ame of tennis
* a **h**uman error
* a **N**orwegian
* a **v**ery big stick

### *an* + vowel SOUND

If the following word starts with a vowel SOUND, then we say ***an*** :

* an **a**ntelope
* an **e**asy climb
* an **i**nteresting suggestion
* an **o**ld dog
* an **u**mbrella

### The Importance of SOUND

Normally, we pronounce consonant letters with a consonant sound, and vowel letters with a vowel sound. But there are some exceptions. The rule about ***a*** or ***an*** is still the same. You just need to think about the SOUND, not the WRITING. Look at these examples:

<div align="left"><img src="https://2646235048-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-MYDVMYIrhWKx4VlUTE-%2F-MbtqBq3ugZNzgwvMc11%2F-MbttlyTcR4BgnEZVN11%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=28b333f9-4c17-44a4-a6b6-242a290e05de" alt=""></div>