Indefinite article 'a'1. An indefinite article is used for a noun when it is mentioned for the first time in a text or a conversation but it is not yet specified. (Did you notice the four examples of indefinite articles in that sentence?).
If the noun is mentioned again, usually there is a shift to 'the'. Look at these pairs and notice the shift from 'a' to 'the':
There was a lovely smell in the room. The smell reminded me of her perfume.
A tall man entered the room. The man asked to speak to the boss.
I'd like to raise an important issue. The issue concerns our future.
He made a serious error of judgement. The error haunted him for the rest of his life.
2. An indefinite article indicates one thing:
I saw a good film last night.
I ordered a pizza.
I have a dog and a cat.
She had a good reason for leaving.
Everyone should learn a language.
You are a person I really admire.
Note: 'one' is only used when the number is important:
I have not seen one good film this year.
I only ordered one pizza (not two).
I'm glad I only have one dog, not two!
She gave one reason for leaving: the poor working conditions.
If we all spoke one language, would life be any easier?
You are the one person I really admire.
Note: 'one' is often used to replace a noun when it is referred to again:
I'm having a coffee. Do you want one?
I bought this new computer because I need one.
And also as a 'cleft sentence' with two subject pronouns:
She's the one we should thank.
Are you the one who wanted to know about the train times?
3. An indefinite article is used to refer to jobs:
He works as a plumber. She's a teacher. I'm a waiter.
but is not used for specific job titles:
She's Head of Department at the Investigations Unit.
4. An indefinite article is used to refer to general roles:
She's a member of the local council. (= one of a group)
but not for a specific position:
She's (the) councillor for this part of the city. (= unique)
5. An indefinite article is often used for religions, political beliefs and star signs:
He's a Muslim. She's a Christian. He's a Jew. (or, He's Muslim. She's Christian. He's Jewish. Note: All with capital letters).
He's a socialist. She's a conservative. I'm an anarchist.
I'm a Capricorn but my sister is a Leo.
6. For specifying abstract nouns. Usually abstract nouns like 'freedom' and 'reason' are used without an article, but if they can be made countable (Ie. one among many) then you may need an indefinite article:
Freedom of speech is a freedom we must fight for.
7. An indefinite article is used in many 'of' phrases:
a number of, a lot of, a couple of, a great deal of, a majority of, a third of, a bit of, a piece of
8. An indefinite article is often used when referring to a hundred/a thousand/a million and to rates or prices:
He lived to be a hundred (or, one hundred).
I report to her four times a year. (or, four times per year, yearly, or quarterly)
Potatoes are now two euros a kilo. (or, per kilo)
He was going at least 200 km an hour.
I eat two apples a day.
Note: indefinite articles are not used with uncountable nouns like 'information', 'advice', 'training' and 'feedback'. For these words, use no article or a piece of/a bit of:
She gave me good information/a good piece of information.
I need advice/a piece of advice.
It was useful training.
Some is also used with these uncountable nouns:
We got some useful feedback after the seminar, but also some criticism.
Note: these words do not usually take the plural form (informations, advices, feedbacks etc) but this is rapidly changing as English becomes a global language.
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