The definite articleThe definite article - an

1. The definite article in the nominative singular case - an

1. (a)

an is used before feminine words beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, and u).

The definite article

1. (b)

an is used before masculine words beginning with c, g, and s.

The definite article

1. (c)

an is used before masculine and feminine nouns beginning with d, l, n, r, and t.

Remind yourself of how to use an before these masculine nouns:

The definite article

Remind yourself of how to use an before these feminine nouns:

The definite article

1. (d)

an is used before feminine nouns beginning with the letter s, apart from those beginning with sl, sn, sr, or s + vowel.

The definite article

1. (e)

an is also used before feminine nouns beginning with the letter f followed by a vowel. A feminine word like this requires the letter h to be inserted before the vowel when using the definite article. Take faoileag (a seagull), for example. It becomes an fhaoileag.

The definite article