This is a ice cream vs This is an ice cream

The correct phrase is "this is an ice cream." The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, like "ice cream." In this case, the word "ice" starts with a vowel sound, so "an" is the correct choice.

Explained by Howard B.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 24, 2025 • 6043 views

This phrase is incorrect. The article "a" should not be used before a word starting with a vowel sound like "ice cream."

"This is a ice cream "

Incorrect usage. Use "an" instead of "a" before words starting with a vowel sound.

Show examples from the web [+]

Isn't this a huge ice cream weekend?
Ice cream and other edible ice (including sherbet, lollipops) (excluding mixes and bases for ice cream)
ICE-CREAM VAN JINGLE PLAYS I'd also buy you a big fat massive ice cream...
The kid said she wanted some ice cream. I thought she should have some ice cream.
We had acquired some ice cream somehow, and we decided that it would be good to store the ice cream in his undergarments on his person.
Not helped by the fact that the ice cream van was following us because we forgot to pay for the ice creams.
By popular consensus, the best ice cream in my town can be found at this artisanal ice cream truck.
Maybe I'll sell ice cream. I like ice cream.
Maybe I'll sell ice cream. I like ice cream.
And ice cream is ice cream.
Anyway, so this physicist goes into an ice cream parlor every week orders an ice cream sundae for himself and offers one to the empty stool next to him.
Stracciatella ice-cream is nothing but a plain ice-cream with chocolate chips.
The ice cream guy sells ice cream at the white people's park.
I swear it's ice cream... ...It's just ice cream.
And there was a strong line of resarch that suggested ice-cream cause polio, that ice-cream consumption cause Polio.
Burt, if you want chocolate ice cream, then just get chocolate ice cream.
All right, I got you the ice cream and the hot cocoa because you were too cold from the ice cream.
I had a little bit of ice cream. I said, who I knew that likes ice cream.
You see I was at an ice cream van in a park, and this kid ran over my foot with his wheely trainer and I dropped my ice cream.
Listen, I got you coconut ice cream. It's in the freezer for you and the little guy to have a little coconut ice cream.

Alternatives:

this is an ice cream

This phrase is correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, like "ice cream."

"This is an ice cream "

Use "an" before words starting with a vowel sound. In this case, use "an ice cream."

Show examples from the web [+]

This is giving me an ice cream headache.
This is meant to be an ice-cream maker.
So, you can try biting me, but all you're going to get is an ice-cream headache.
So, you can try biting me, but all you're going to get is an ice-cream headache.
Anyway, so this physicist goes into an ice cream parlor every week orders an ice cream sundae for himself and offers one to the empty stool next to him.
You know, I am so craving an ice cream cake, but not the kind you get at an ice cream store.
You see I was at an ice cream van in a park, and this kid ran over my foot with his wheely trainer and I dropped my ice cream.
It's an ice cream cake. That's your favorite kind of cake because it's got ice cream in the middle, just like your favorite kind of truck does.
Ice cream. I'd like an ice cream, please.
If your roommate was an ice cream, what kind of ice cream would she be?
Do you like ice cream? Would you like an ice cream?
You know, this is exactly why, okay, sometimes I do things like shoot up an ice cream truck.
I'll get straight to the point because this is important, and that appears to be an ice cream cake.
Look, there's an ice-cream truck outside.
While I was there, an ice cream truck actually came through.
It sounds like an ice cream.
Rachel took me for an ice cream.
That man can melt an ice cream truck.
Korsak got to take Cameron to buy an ice cream.
Well, they're not looking for an ice cream truck.

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This is a ice cream vs This is an ice cream

"This is a ice cream "

"This is an ice cream "

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