a, an
indefinite article - a
Pronunciation
- BrE: /ə/, strong form /eɪ/
- NAmE: /ə/, strong form /eɪ/
also an
- BrE: /ən/, strong form /æn/
- NAmE: /ən/, strong form /æn/
The form a is used before consonant sounds and the form an before vowel sounds. When saying abbreviations like ‘FM’ or ‘UN’, use a or an according to how the first letter is said. For example, F is a consonant, but begins with the sound /e/ and so you say: an FM radio. U is a vowel but begins with /j/ and so you say: a UN declaration.
Explanation
A1 used before countable or singular nouns referring to people or things that have not already been mentioned(用于可数名词或单数名词前,表示未曾提到的)一(人、事、物)