A/an, plurals – singular and plural forms
Understanding A and An in English
In English, a and an are used before singular nouns to indicate "one" of something, but the choice between them depends on the sound that begins the next word.
- Use a before words that start with a consonant sound:
- a table
- a book
- a car
- Use an before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u):
- an orange
- an apple
- an elephant
Special Rules
- Words that start with silent "h" get an:
- an hour
- an honor
- But when the "h" is pronounced, use a:
- a hat
- a hotel
- For words beginning with "u" that sound like "you," use a:
- a university
- a uniform
Plurals in English
When we talk about more than one of something, we use plural nouns. But remember:
Do not use "a" or "an" with plural nouns.
- Correct: These are tables.
- Incorrect: These are a tables.
Regular Plurals
Most English nouns become plural by simply adding -s. However, some need -es, -ies, or -ves:
- Books (add -s)
- Watches (add -es)
- Berries (change -y to -ies)
- Wolves (change -f to -ves)
Irregular Plurals
English has many irregular plurals that don't follow the usual rules. For these, the entire word might change:
- Child becomes children.
- Mouse becomes mice.
This explanation provides clarity on when to use a and an, along with the basics of forming plurals in English.
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