How to use the a or an checker
Type one word (for example “umbrella”) to see the correct article. Or paste a sentence or paragraph and the tool will highlight every wrong “a” or “an” and suggest the fix.
The rule
Use an before a vowel sound and a before a consonant sound. It depends on how the word is pronounced, not how it is spelled.
- an apple, an egg, an umbrella
- an hour, an honest person (the h is silent)
- a university, a unicorn, a European trip (they start with a “yoo” sound)
- a one-day trip (it starts with a “w” sound)
Frequently asked questions
Is it “a hour” or “an hour”?
It is “an hour” because the h is silent and the word starts with a vowel sound.
Do I use a or an before abbreviations?
Say the abbreviation aloud. “An FBI agent” (eff), but “a NASA mission” (naa-sa).
Is it “a” or “an” before “historic”?
Both appear, but “a historic event” is the most common modern choice because the h is pronounced.