How to use A and An the indefinite Articles

Rule 1: Before a singular noun which is countable. When it is mentioned for the first time and represents no particular person or thing:

• I need a visa. 
• They live in a flat. 
• He bought an ice- cream.

Rule 2: Before a singular countable noun which is used as an example of a class of things:

• A car must be insured. 
• A child needs love.

Rule 3: With a noun complement. This includes names of professions:

• It was an earthquake. 
• She’ll be a dancer. 
• He is a an actor.

Rule 4: In certain expressions of quantity:

a  lot of                 a couple               a great 

 a dozen               a great deal of

Rule 5: In expressions of price, speed, ration etc:

5p a kilo              1 a meter            sixty kilometers an hour

10p a dozen       four times a day

Rule 6: In exclamations before singular, countable nouns:

• Such a long queue!           
• What a pretty girl!

Rule 7: A can be placed before Mr/ Mrs/Miss+ surname:

A Mr Smith         a Mrs Smith       a Miss smith

A Mr smith means          ‘a man called smith’

And implies that the speaker knows Mr smith or knows of his existence.

Rule 8: With certain number:

A hundred          a thousand        

Before half when half follows a whole number:

A half-holiday                   a half-portion                   a half- share

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