Indefinite Article

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The indefinite article a/an is used to talk about one particular person or thing when the listener does not know which one is meant, or when it does not matter which one.

She married an old man.
They have a big house in the city.
You had better consult a doctor.
I saw a hawker selling his wares on the street.
A man came and knocked at the door.

A/an is also used to talk about any one member of a class.

A teacher must have patience. (=any teacher)
A spider has eight legs. (=any spider)
A dog is faithful to its master.
A parrot can repeat what you say.

Cases where the indefinite article should not be used

With plural and uncountable nouns

The indefinite article cannot used before plural and uncountable nouns.

Apples are red.
Computers are expensive.
Time is money.

With possessives

We cannot use the indefinite article with possessives. We use double possessives instead.

He is a friend of mine. (NOT He is a my friend.)

With adjectives without nouns

We cannot use the indefinite article with an adjective alone (without a noun).

She is a beautiful girl.
She is beautiful. (NOT She is a beautiful.)

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