a · det
a (AMOUNTS)
A2 used before some phrases saying how much of something there is
Dictionary examples:
She ate a spoonful of vegetables. (0.0)
I have a handful of friends. (0.0)
She has a mountain of homework. (0.0)
a few days (9.4)
a little bit of yarn (46.7)
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:
A cat ate my homework. Really! (0.0)
I need a nap and a cookie. (0.0)
I need a vacation from my vacation. (0.0)
She's got a boyfriend. (9.5)
Is he a friend of yours? (12.3)
Someone left an umbrella here yesterday. (14.0)
a (ANY/EVERY)
A1 used to mean any or every thing or person of the type you are referring to
Dictionary examples:
A banana can't ride a bike. (0.0)
A car can't eat a sandwich. (0.0)
A dog can't fly a plane. (0.0)
A child needs love. (8.6)
Can you ride a bike? (12.2)
A cheetah can run faster than a lion. (58.5)
a (ONE)
A1 one
Dictionary examples:
A bear ate my homework! (0.0)
I bought a flying car! (0.0)
I need a big hug. (0.0)
a hundred dollars (6.1)
a dozen eggs (19.7)
a (TYPE)
A1 used to state what type of thing or person something or someone is
Dictionary examples:
He's a clown, but not funny. (0.0)
Is that a car or a toy? (0.0)
Is that a dog or a mop? (0.0)
It's a rabbit. (8.1)
Sally's an engineer. (11.4)
a (WITH FRACTION)
A2 used between a fraction and a unit of measurement
Dictionary examples:
I ate three-quarters of a pizza in two minutes! (0.0)
My dog ran half a mile to catch his tail. (0.0)
My phone battery lasted one-sixth of a day. Thanks, games! (0.0)
a quarter of a kilo (8.9)
three-quarters of an hour (9.4)
half a mile (32.4)
a (PERIOD OF TIME)
A2 used when referring to a certain period of time
Dictionary examples:
I eat pizza three times a minute. My stomach hurts! (0.0)
I drink 50 cups of coffee a day. I'm very awake! (0.0)
He sleeps 25 hours a day. He must be a cat! (0.0)
She earns $100,000 a year. (13.6)
Take one tablet three times a day. (17.4)
a (AN ACTION)
A2 used before some action nouns when referring to one example of the action
Dictionary examples:
Let's take a nap in the boss's chair! (0.0)
Let's have a dance with these funny robots! (0.0)
Can we take a swim in the chocolate river? (0.0)
Take a look at this, Jez. (15.9)
I'm just going to take a ride. (17.8)
a (TWO NOUNS)
A2 used before the first but not the second of two nouns that are often used together
Dictionary examples:
He brought a pen and paper to write his silly jokes. (0.0)
The teacher brought a fishing rod and calculator to math class. (0.0)
The dog brought a bone and TV remote to his owner. (0.0)
a knife and fork (12.0)
a cup and saucer (17.5)
a (UNIT)
A2 used when referring to a unit of something, especially something you eat or drink
Dictionary examples:
I had a sandwich for lunch. It was taller than me! (0.0)
I ate a pizza for breakfast. Now my stomach is singing! (0.0)
I need a coffee. My eyes are still sleeping! (0.0)
I'd love a coffee. (5.0)
All I had for lunch was a yogurt. (10.0)