1. a or an? Which one do I choose?

2. Oh, that’s easy! All you have to do is take a look at the start of the word you want to put after a or an. If the word starts with a vowel sound, you use an. If it doesn’t, you use a. Simples!

3. But, what’s a vowel? There are 2 types of letters in the alphabet: vowels and consonants. There are only 5 vowels: aeiou All of the other letters in the alphabet are called consonants. Think of Countdown! “I’ll have a consonant please, Carol.”

4. So, we now know what a vowel is and that we use an when a word starts with a vowel sound. Let’s put it to the test! Take a look at these words and let’s see if we can choose a or an correctly.

5. Vowels a e i o u Does orange begin with a vowel sound or a consonant sound? aan

6. Vowels a e i o u Excellent! Does game begin with a vowel sound or a consonant sound? aan

7. Vowels a e i o u Excellent! Does umbrella begin with a vowel sound or a consonant sound? aan

8. Vowels a e i o u Excellent! Does hour begin with a vowel sound or a consonant sound? aan

9. Oh no! Nearly! Let’s try that one again!

10. Yes! But hour doesn’t begin with a vowel! No, you’re right! It doesn’t! BUT, it does begin with a vowel sound. Words don’t just have to start with a vowel as a letter. Any word that uses a vowel sound uses an too.

11. Sounds like… Because the h is silent, we hear the ‘ou’ sound.

12. Therefore, we use an because it sounds like a vowel! Have a go at this for your homework. Do the words use a or an?