Definite and indefinite articles

Singular Nouns

For singular nouns, the indefinite articles are “a” and “an.” In other languages, when choosing which indefinite article to use, you may have to think about the gender of the noun, its spelling and the spelling of any adjectives that come before it. In English, you only have to listen to the very next word. If it begins with a vowel sound, use “an.” If it begins with a consonant sound, use “a.” It's as simple as that.

Here are a few examples:

• 
  a man
  
• 
  a monkey
  
• 
  a blue umbrella
  
• 
  a swimming pool
  
• 
  an apple
  
• 
  an elephant
  
• 
  an igloo
  
• 
  an octopus
  
• 
  an umbrella
  
• 
  an ugly hat
  

Plural Nouns

For plural nouns, the indefinite article is “some.” It can be followed by any adverb, adjective, plural noun or uncountable noun whatsoever (as long as there's a noun somewhere in the vicinity to complete the noun phrase).

Look at these examples:

• 
  some men
  
• 
  some cute monkeys
  
• 
  some blue umbrellas
  
• 
  some universities
  
• 
  some elephants
  
• 
  some very ugly hats
  
• 
  some tufts of hair
  
• 
  some water
  
• 
  some milk
  
• 
  some money