When should a be used?
The word "a" is an indefinite article that is used before a noun when the noun is general or non-specific. Here are some instances when "a" should be used:
1. When introducing a noun for the first time:
- "I saw a dog in the park."
2. When referring to one of something in a group:
- "She ate an apple from the basket."
3. When expressing ratio or rate:
- "He drives at a speed of 60 miles per hour."
4. When talking about someone's profession:
- "She is a teacher."
5. When describing a quantity of measurement:
- "The recipe requires a cup of sugar."
6. When using "a" as a pronoun, meaning "each" or "per":
- "She earns $10 an hour."
It is important to note that "a" changes to "an" when used before a word that begins with a vowel sound:
- "She is an honest person."
- "I had an excellent time."