a
(also an) strong /eɪ/ weak /ə/ determinerDefinition
BEFORE NOUN › 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: I need a new car. I bought a nice coat yesterday. I saw a woman speaking to him.
ONE › one: a hundred dollars a dozen eggs
EVERY/EACH › every or each: A child needs love. Take one tablet three times a (= each) day.
TYPE › used to say what type of thing or person something or someone is: It's a guinea pig. She's a doctor.
AN ACTION › used before some action nouns when referring to one example of the action: I'm just going to have a wash. Take a look at this.
TWO NOUNS › used before the first of two nouns that are often used together: a cup and saucer
AMOUNTS › used before some phrases saying how much of something there is: a few days a bit of sugar
NAME › used before a person's name when referring to someone you do not know: There's a Ms Leeming to see you.
(Definition of a determiner from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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