AN

/æn, ən/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Indefinite Article:
    • The form of the indefinite article "a" used before words beginning with a vowel sound. It indicates a non-specific or general instance of a noun.
Usage
  • Before vowel sounds: Use "an" before singular countable nouns that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour, an honor).
  • General reference: It is used when introducing a noun for the first time or when the noun is not specific or known to the listener.
  • Pronunciation-based rule: The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound that follows, not the written letter. For example, "an hour" is correct because "hour" begins with a vowel sound (/aʊər/), while "a university" is correct because "university" begins with a consonant sound (/juː/).
Examples
  • Before vowel sounds:
    • She is an architect.
    • I waited for an hour.
    • He told an interesting story.
  • General reference:
    • I need an umbrella. (Any umbrella, not a specific one.)
    • She adopted an animal from the shelter.
Advanced Usage
  • Before acronyms and initialisms: The choice depends on the spoken sound of the first letter.
    • He works for an NGO. (Pronounced "en-jee-oh")
    • It was an FBI agent. (Pronounced "ef-bee-eye")
  • Before silent 'h': Use "an" before words where the 'h' is silent and the word begins with a vowel sound.
    • It was an honest mistake.
    • We have an hour before the meeting.
Variants and Related Words
  • A: The indefinite article used before words beginning with a consonant sound (e.g., a book, a user, a one-time offer).
  • The: The definite article, used to refer to specific or known nouns.
Synonyms
  • One: (When used to indicate a single, non-specific item) Can sometimes be used for emphasis, but "an" is more common for general reference.
    • I'd like an apple. / I'd like one apple. (The latter emphasizes the quantity "one".)
Notes on Different Meanings
  • As a Noun (Specialized): In specific contexts, such as academic degrees, "AN" can be an abbreviation (e.g., Associate Degree in Nursing). However, this is a separate, capitalized term and not the standard indefinite article "an".
    • She earned her AN last year.
  • Archaic/Regional Conjunction: In archaic or dialectal English, "an" was sometimes used as a conjunction meaning "if". This usage is now obsolete in standard modern English.
    • "An it please you..." (Old English for "If it pleases you...")
Important Distinction

The word "an" as an indefinite article is a function word. It does not have phrasal verbs or idioms based on it alone. Idioms or phrases will use it as part of a noun phrase (e.g., an arm and a leg, an apple a day). These are idioms centered on the noun, not the article "an" itself.

Noun
  1. an associate degree in nursing

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống

Từ chứa "AN"

Từ có nhắc đến "AN"