Confused Adjectives

A and An

Rule: An should be used instead of a before words starting with vowels (a, e, i, o, u) or in case of words with silent h (hour, honest, honor).

Incorrect Usage: (a) That is a apple tree.

                                (b) He is a honest man.

Correct Usage: (a) That is an apple tree.

                             (b) He is an honest man.

Confused Adjectives

One and A(n)

Rule: One should not be used as a substitute for a or an. One is used only in cases where the number has to be emphasized.

Incorrect Usage: (a) There was one curfew in the city.

  (b) She got only a chocolate instead of two.

Correct Usage: (a) There was a curfew in the city.

(b) She got only one chocolate instead of two.