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Using a and an with singular countable nouns.
Use a/an before singular countable nouns when referring to one non-specific person or thing.
The indefinite article is used only with singular countable nouns. It introduces a noun that is not yet known or identified by the listener.
I need a pen.
Мне нужна ручка.
A is used with a singular countable noun referring to one non-specific item.
She bought a new computer.
Она купила новый компьютер.
The computer is introduced without identifying a particular computer.
He saw an unusual bird in the garden.
Он увидел необычную птицу в саду.
An is used because unusual begins with a vowel sound.
We need a solution to this problem.
Нам нужно решение этой проблемы.
A introduces one possible solution without specifying which solution.
She is looking for an apartment near the university.
Она ищет квартиру рядом с университетом.
An is required before apartment, which is singular and countable.
A mistake in the calculation caused the final result to change.
Ошибка в расчёте привела к изменению конечного результата.
A introduces one unspecified mistake.
He wants to become an architect after completing his degree.
Он хочет стать архитектором после получения степени.
An is required with the singular countable profession architect.
The company needs an experienced manager to lead the new project.
Компании нужен опытный менеджер для руководства новым проектом.
An introduces one non-specific person who fits the description.
Use a before words beginning with a consonant sound.
The choice depends on pronunciation, not spelling. For example: a university, a European country, a one-way street.
She is a teacher.
Она учительница.
Teacher begins with a consonant sound, so a is used.
He bought a car.
Он купил машину.
Car begins with the consonant sound /k/.
She studies at a university in London.
Она учится в одном из университетов Лондона.
University begins with the consonant sound /j/, despite the initial letter u.
We waited for a European official to arrive.
Мы ждали прибытия одного европейского чиновника.
European begins with the consonant sound /j/.
It was a useful suggestion.
Это было полезное предложение.
Useful begins with the consonant sound /j/.
He bought a one-way ticket to Paris.
Он купил билет в один конец до Парижа.
One begins with the consonant sound /w/.
The machine requires a user account before it can be activated.
Для активации машины требуется учётная запись пользователя.
User begins with the consonant sound /j/.
It took a year to complete the renovation.
На завершение ремонта потребовался год.
Year begins with the consonant sound /j/.
Use an before words beginning with a vowel sound.
The choice depends on pronunciation, not spelling. For example: an hour, an honest person, an MBA.
She ate an apple.
Она съела яблоко.
Apple begins with a vowel sound, so an is used.
He is an engineer.
Он инженер.
Engineer begins with the vowel sound /e/.
We waited for an hour.
Мы ждали час.
The h in hour is silent, so the word begins with a vowel sound.
She is an honest person.
Она честный человек.
The h in honest is silent.
He made an important decision.
Он принял важное решение.
Important begins with a vowel sound.
She has an MBA from a British university.
У неё степень MBA британского университета.
MBA is pronounced beginning with /em/, a vowel sound.
They hired an HR specialist to review the policy.
Они наняли специалиста по кадрам для проверки политики.
HR is pronounced /eɪtʃ ɑːr/, beginning with a vowel sound.
It was an unexpected consequence of the decision.
Это было неожиданным последствием решения.
Unexpected begins with a vowel sound.
Use a/an when mentioning a singular countable noun for the first time.
After the noun has been introduced, it usually becomes specific and is referred to with the definite article.
I saw a man outside the station.
Я увидел мужчину возле станции.
A introduces the man for the first time.
A woman opened the door.
Женщина открыла дверь.
A introduces a woman who has not previously been identified.
A dog was sitting by the road.
У дороги сидела собака.
The dog is introduced for the first time.
I found a wallet on the bus.
Я нашёл кошелёк в автобусе.
A introduces the previously unknown wallet.
A student asked me a question after class.
Один студент задал мне вопрос после занятия.
Both singular countable nouns are introduced for the first time.
A company contacted me about a job opportunity.
Одна компания связалась со мной по поводу вакансии.
Both company and job opportunity are new referents in the discourse.
A fire broke out in the building, and several people called the emergency services.
В здании начался пожар, и несколько человек вызвали экстренные службы.
A introduces the new event; the emergency services refers to an established institution.
A researcher discovered an unusual pattern in the data, which later became the focus of the study.
Исследователь обнаружил необычную закономерность в данных, которая позже стала предметом исследования.
New singular countable referents are introduced with a/an before later specific reference with the.
Use a/an to mean one when the exact number is not emphasized.
The indefinite article often has the meaning of one, but it introduces the noun rather than emphasizing the number.
I need a minute.
Мне нужна минута.
A means one, but the exact number is not strongly emphasized.
She bought a sandwich for lunch.
Она купила один сэндвич на обед.
A can mean one single item in an ordinary context.
Give me a second.
Дай мне секунду.
A means one, but this is a fixed everyday expression rather than a numerical statement.
I have a brother.
У меня есть один брат.
A indicates one member of the category without emphasizing the number itself.
There is a problem with the printer.
С принтером есть одна проблема.
A presents one problem as a new, non-specific item.
We need a volunteer to help with the event.
Нам нужен один доброволец, чтобы помочь с мероприятием.
A means one possible member of the category volunteer.
It took a day to complete the installation.
На завершение установки потребовался один день.
A in a unit expression commonly has the meaning one per unit or one unit.
A single mistake can change the outcome completely.
Одна-единственная ошибка может полностью изменить результат.
A can mean one, whereas single explicitly emphasizes the number.
Use a/an before professions, occupations and social roles.
Examples include: a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, an actor.
She is a doctor.
Она врач.
A is required before a singular countable profession.
He is an engineer.
Он инженер.
An is used because engineer begins with a vowel sound.
My sister is a teacher.
Моя сестра учительница.
A is used before the singular occupation teacher.
Her husband is an actor.
Её муж актёр.
An is used before actor because it begins with a vowel sound.
She works as a software developer.
Она работает разработчиком программного обеспечения.
A is used after work as before a singular countable occupation.
He trained as an architect before becoming a lecturer.
Он получил образование архитектора, прежде чем стать преподавателем.
Both singular occupations require an article.
After several years in finance, she became a consultant.
После нескольких лет в сфере финансов она стала консультантом.
A is required because consultant is a singular countable role.
He was appointed an adviser to the committee.
Он был назначен советником комитета.
A/an can be used with a singular role or position following certain verbs of appointment or description.
Use a/an to show that someone or something belongs to a particular class or type.
Examples include: a mammal, an insect, a smartphone, a genius.
A whale is a mammal.
Кит — млекопитающее.
A singular countable noun can represent an entire class.
A tomato is a fruit.
Помидор — это фрукт.
A presents tomato as one representative member of the class.
A smartphone is a useful tool.
Смартфон — полезный инструмент.
A classifies a smartphone as one member of the broader category of useful tools.
An octopus is an intelligent animal.
Осьминог — умное животное.
An presents a typical member of the category octopus.
A bicycle is a practical form of transport.
Велосипед — практичный вид транспорта.
The singular noun with a/an represents the category generally.
A good manager knows how to communicate clearly.
Хороший менеджер умеет ясно общаться.
A good manager refers to any member of that category, not one particular manager.
An effective vaccine can prevent serious illness.
Эффективная вакцина может предотвратить серьёзное заболевание.
The singular noun phrase represents vaccines of that type generally.
A democratic society depends on informed citizens.
Демократическое общество зависит от информированных граждан.
A democratic society represents any society meeting that classification.
Use a/an in expressions of price, speed, frequency and measurement.
Examples include: twice a day, sixty kilometres an hour, ten dollars a kilo.
Take this medicine twice a day.
Принимайте это лекарство дважды в день.
A occurs in the rate expression twice a day.
The car was travelling at sixty kilometres an hour.
Машина двигалась со скоростью шестьдесят километров в час.
An is used before hour because hour begins with a vowel sound.
The apples cost three dollars a kilo.
Яблоки стоят три доллара за килограмм.
A expresses the rate per unit.
You should take one tablet every four hours.
Вам следует принимать одну таблетку каждые четыре часа.
A/an can express a rate, while one explicitly emphasizes quantity in the first noun phrase.
They charge fifty pounds a night for the room.
Они берут пятьдесят фунтов за ночь за номер.
A indicates the unit used to calculate the rate.
The machine can process a hundred requests a minute.
Машина может обрабатывать сто запросов в минуту.
A is used in the rate expression a minute.
The contractor charges two hundred euros an hour for emergency work.
Подрядчик берёт двести евро в час за срочные работы.
An is used before hour because the word begins with a vowel sound.
The engine consumes roughly six litres of fuel a hundred kilometres.
Двигатель расходует примерно шесть литров топлива на сто километров.
A can express a measurement or rate in which one unit is used as the reference.
Use a/an after "What" before singular countable nouns in exclamations.
Examples include: What a pity!, What an amazing idea!, What a beautiful day!
What a beautiful day!
Какой прекрасный день!
What is followed by a + singular countable noun phrase.
What a surprise!
Какой сюрприз!
A is required before the singular countable noun surprise.
What an amazing idea!
Какая потрясающая идея!
An is used because amazing begins with a vowel sound.
What a terrible mistake!
Какая ужасная ошибка!
A introduces the singular countable noun mistake.
What an interesting story!
Какая интересная история!
An is used before interesting because it begins with a vowel sound.
What a strange thing to say!
Что за странная вещь, чтобы такое сказать!
The noun phrase begins with a before the singular countable noun thing.
What an extraordinary opportunity this is!
Какая это необыкновенная возможность!
An precedes extraordinary, which begins with a vowel sound.
What a remarkable achievement for such a young team!
Какое замечательное достижение для такой молодой команды!
A is used before the singular countable noun achievement.
Many common English expressions contain the indefinite article.
Examples include: have a look, take a seat, make a mistake, tell a lie, all of a sudden.
Have a look at this.
Посмотри на это.
A occurs in the fixed expression have a look.
Please take a seat.
Пожалуйста, садитесь.
Take a seat is a common fixed expression containing a.
I made a mistake.
Я допустил ошибку.
Make a mistake is a common fixed expression.
He told a lie to protect his friend.
Он солгал, чтобы защитить своего друга.
Tell a lie is an established expression.
We arrived all of a sudden.
Мы вдруг приехали.
All of a sudden is a fixed expression meaning suddenly.
She gave me a hand with the boxes.
Она помогла мне с коробками.
Give someone a hand is a fixed expression meaning help someone.
I had a feeling that something was wrong.
У меня было ощущение, что что-то не так.
Have a feeling is a common collocation in which a is part of the expression.
She took a deep breath before answering the question.
Она глубоко вдохнула перед тем, как ответить на вопрос.
Take a breath is a common expression; the adjective deep modifies the singular countable noun.
Use a/an with a singular countable noun to represent an entire class.
Examples include: A dog is a loyal animal. A teacher should be patient.
A dog needs regular exercise.
Собаке нужны регулярные физические нагрузки.
A dog represents dogs as a class.
A teacher should be patient.
Учитель должен быть терпеливым.
A singular noun can describe a general characteristic of the whole class.
A smartphone can be useful for learning.
Смартфон может быть полезен для обучения.
The singular noun phrase refers generally to smartphones.
A good manager listens to the people on the team.
Хороший менеджер прислушивается к людям в команде.
A good manager refers to any manager meeting the description.
A bicycle is cheaper to maintain than a car.
Велосипед дешевле обслуживать, чем машину.
Both singular countable nouns are used generically.
A healthy diet can reduce the risk of disease.
Здоровое питание может снизить риск заболеваний.
A healthy diet refers to any diet with the stated characteristic.
A child learns language through interaction with other people.
Ребёнок осваивает язык через взаимодействие с другими людьми.
The singular countable noun child represents the class generally.
A successful organization depends on people who can adapt to change.
Успешная организация зависит от людей, способных адаптироваться к изменениям.
A successful organization refers to organizations of that type in general.
Do not use a/an with plural nouns, uncountable nouns or most proper nouns.
These nouns usually require another determiner or no article. The exceptions are covered in other article groups.
Books are useful.
Книги полезны.
No a/an is used with a plural noun.
Water is essential for life.
Вода необходима для жизни.
No a/an is used with the uncountable noun water.
I like music.
Я люблю музыку.
Music is normally uncountable when referring to music generally.
She lives in London.
Она живёт в Лондоне.
Most proper names of cities are used without a/an.
He speaks English.
Он говорит по-английски.
Names of languages generally occur without a/an.
She studies mathematics at university.
Она изучает математику в университете.
Mathematics normally occurs without a/an when referring to the subject.
We bought furniture for the new office.
Мы купили мебель для нового офиса.
Furniture is an uncountable noun and does not normally take a/an.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level.
Эверест — самая высокая гора над уровнем моря.
Mount Everest is a proper name and does not normally take a/an.