English Profile

a · determiner

/eɪ/Full view

a (NOT PARTICULAR)

A1 used before a noun to refer to a single thing or person but not a particular thing or person or not one that you have referred to before

Dictionary examples:

She's got a boyfriend.

Someone left an umbrella here yesterday.

Is he a friend of yours?

Learner example:

You can make a quick snack, for example a sandwich. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; German)

a (ANY/EVERY)

A1 used to mean any or every thing or person of the type you are referring to

Dictionary examples:

Can you ride a bike?

A child needs love.

A cheetah can run faster than a lion.

Learner example:

I don't need it because I'm too old to have a doll. (Key English Test; A2; French)

a (ONE)

A1 one

Dictionary examples:

a hundred dollars

a dozen eggs

Learner example:

Dear Ally, All my friends [from] school were here, more than a hundred people. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)

a (TYPE)

A1 used to state what type of thing or person something or someone is

Dictionary examples:

Sally's an engineer.

It's a rabbit.

Learner example:

She's a teacher. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Tamil)

a (AMOUNTS)

A2 used before some phrases saying how much of something there is

Dictionary examples:

a few days

a little bit of yarn

Learner example:

Usually people in Poland are very busy so we do not have a lot of time for cooking. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Slovak)

a (AN ACTION)

A2 used before some action nouns when referring to one example of the action

Dictionary examples:

Take a look at this, Jez.

I'm just going to take a ride.

Learner example:

I took a shower and ate my breakfast. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Thai)

a (TWO NOUNS)

A2 used before the first but not the second of two nouns that are often used together

Dictionary examples:

a cup and saucer

a knife and fork

Learner example:

I like a clean fork and knife. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)

a (UNIT)

A2 used when referring to a unit of something, especially something you eat or drink

Dictionary examples:

I'd love a coffee.

All I had for lunch was a yogurt.

Learner example:

We both had a coke and a hot dog. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

a (WITH FRACTION)

A2 used between a fraction and a unit of measurement

Dictionary examples:

half a mile

a quarter of a kilo

three-quarters of an hour

Learner example:

The lesson is half an hour but you have to be ther[e] 10 minutes before. (Key English Test; A2; Greek)

a (PERIOD OF TIME)

A2 used when referring to a certain period of time

Dictionary examples:

Take one tablet three times a day.

She earns $100,000 a year.

Learner example:

I can write to him or her twice a week. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)