an animal vs a animal

The correct phrase is 'an animal.' The article 'an' is required before words that begin with a vowel sound, such as 'animal'. The article 'a' is used before words that begin with a consonant sound such as 'dog' or 'cat'.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 13, 2025 • 5616 views

Correct. 'An' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

"an animal"

Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound, such as 'animal.'

Examples:

an elephant
an apple
an umbrella
an hour
an honor

Show examples from the web [+]

From meningitis to rabies from an animal bite...
Raised as an animal... Collared...
- I sent you here to hunt an animal.
You bit her like an animal.
Sacramento still can't determine an animal.
These wounds look like they were made by an animal.
Show an animal kindness and it will give loyalty until the heavens fall.
That's too big to be an animal.
They treated him like an animal.
But in actuality you're actually petting an animal.
That makes you like an animal to them - unpredictable and dangerous.
That makes you like an animal to them.
It's like living with an animal.
I'm starting to feel like an animal in a cage.
Just make an animal noise if I'm correct.
Such an animal... never greets the afterlife absent desperate blood.
Such an animal... never greets the afterlife absent desperate blood.
He was bled dry like an animal.
They butchered him like an animal.
I'm not adding an animal.

Alternatives:

a dog
a cat
a book
a house
a car

Incorrect. 'A' should be used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

"a animal"

The correct form is 'a animal' because 'animal' starts with a vowel sound.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm a animal lover who never finishes his supper.
In this case, the consumer would certainly not reach for the cheap goods, but opt for a somewhat dearer product that would show his credentials as a animal lover.
The eighth recital states that products imported from third countries must not present a animal health hazard for Community livestock.
As a friend he's a animal.
D Annex A animals bred in captivity for commercial purposes in operations included in the Register of the CITES Secretariat, in accordance with Resolution Conf.
I just don't want to do it strapped down to a table like some a-animal.
It was a USDA animal research facility.
So it's essentially a freshwater animal.
A lowly animal of insignificant habits and unfortunate appearance.
This squirrel is a wild animal.
Stored electricity is like a caged animal.
A stuffed animal, a family photo...
I've got a stuffed animal and a picture.
A silly animal with a small brain.
It's an X-ray of a marine animal called a nautilus.
You use a real animal and a warped mirror.
She was clutching a stuffed animal, a frog.
Just like they're a bunch of animals in a cage.
I'm thinking about getting my friend a live animal as a wedding gift.
I'm thinking about getting my friend a live animal as a wedding gift.

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an animal vs a animal

"an animal"

"a animal"

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