A or An Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.1.1.H

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

An article in the English language indicates if a noun is specific or general. The articles (a and an) indicate a quantity of being singular. They are placed just before the noun in a sentence. These are classified as indefinite articles because they give us a general presence of mind. There is a third indefinite article (some) that is used to indicate plurals in general sense. We use these indefinite articles in two unique circumstances. When you first introduce a noun in a story it is more likely than not accompanied by an indefinite article. When you are not concerned by specifics indefinite articles are often used. For instance, if you asked some to pick up a box of eggs. You wouldn’t be too concerned about the brand of eggs, so the indefinite article (a or an) would be a good choice. The collection of worksheets that you will find below can be used to learn which of these indefinite articles to use in your sentences.

A or An Worksheets To Print:

Words to Pictures - Say the name of each picture. Write the correct article in front of each picture.

Words and Pictures - You are given both the picture and word for the picture to work with here.

Sentence Blanks - Fill in the blank in each sentence with the correct word.

Trail and Slash - Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound. Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound.

Sentence or Not? - Write whether or not each sentence is correct.

Complete Thoughts - Check the correct answer box. Make sure to play attention to types of letters that are involved.

Proofread - Rewrite each sentence to correct the error.

Sentence Maker - Write two sentences to go with each picture. Use each word correctly.

Good Habits - Look at the words below. Do they start with a vowel (V) or a consonant (C)? Complete the table.

Swinging Circles - Circle the correct word to complete each sentence.

Finish the Blank - Make it all come together to get it in there.

Article Chooser - What would finish off this sentence properly?

Coupled Writing - Write a sentence that includes a or an to go with each picture. Use each article three times.

Read Carefully - You will need to slowly progress through these guys.

Grade Them - You will need to make an answer key for this one.

When To Use "A" Versus "An"?

Early in our academic career we are taught that the simple answer to this is to look at the composition of noun that these indefinite articles precede. If it is a singular noun that begins with a consonant sound, you would use the indefinite article (a). If it is a singular noun that begins with a vowel sound, you would place the indefinite article (an) just before it. The hardest thing to remember here is that we are worried about the sound that comes off of the word, how it is pronounced. We are not concerned about spelling. Simply put, we are not looking for vowels vs. consonants, we are listening for their sounds. For the most part, this approach is accurate and does work. As we advance further with Language Arts, we learn that this type of implementation can be difficult at times because of sounds that come off of words.


The quick approach is to locate the noun in question and say the word aloud to yourself. There are some exceptions that come about due to the sounds that come off of words. This will most commonly be evident when you come across words that begin with either (h or u).


Exceptions with Silent h - There are many instances where words that begin with the consonant (h) give off a silent sound and the pronunciation is based on the trailing letters. This will often result in a vowel sound which would require the use of the indefinite article (an).


an honest mistake
an honorable fashion



Exceptions When u Makes the y Sound - There are situations where the vowel (u) will make the sound of the letter (y). This would require us to place the indefinite article (a) before the noun. Because the sounds often go undetected, this is most likely the situation where the most errors are made.


  • a united stance
  • a unicorn