Pronunciation

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stressed
unstressed
  • IPA (key): /ən/
  • SAMPA: /@n/
  • (file)
    (unstressed in the phrase "an egg")

Determiner

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Determiner Before a vowel
an

Before a consonant
a

  1. (indefinite) (singular) (count) An is used when you don't expect your listener to identify which thing you mean.
    I just ate an apple.
    It is indeed an honor to have met you today.

Usage notes

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  • An is only used if the following word starts with a vowel (e.g., an orange pen not a orange pen).
  • (UK) Used before a word that begins with a pronounced h sound (e.g., an historic day).
  • If the following word starts with a consonant then we use a instead.
  • An is called the indefinite article.
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