Learning Worksheets Sight Words Sight word “an”
Free printable PDF · Dolch first grade · ages 6–7
Free Sight Word “an” Worksheet for Kids
“An” is the little word we use before a vowel sound: an apple, an egg, an owl. It is a close cousin of the word a.
The “an” page at a glance
Children trace “an”, write it from memory, hunt for it among in, on, and, am and na, and finish by tracing “I ate an apple.”.
Helping your child learn “an”
An is easy to sound out, a-n, so the real lesson is when to use it. Put out a few objects and say them with a or an: a cup, an orange, a ball, an egg. Ask your child what they notice. When the next word starts with a vowel sound, we say an because it is easier to say.
Example sentences
- I ate an apple.
- An owl hoots at night.
- She has an umbrella.
- Is that an egg?
Play A or an basket
Fill a basket with toys and play food. Your child pulls out one item at a time and says it with a or an. If they use an, they hold up the an card. Collect all the an items in one pile.
On the Dolch first grade list, “an” sits at number 3 of 41. Children often learn it between ages 6–7, building on the primer words.
Where to go next
After this one, move on to “as” and “any” (they are also short a words that appear in many sentences).
Parents ask about “an”
When do you use an instead of a?
Use an before a vowel sound, as in an apple and an hour. Use a before a consonant sound, as in a cat and a unicorn.
Is an hard to read?
No. It is short and follows phonics. The tricky part is choosing a or an in writing, which comes with practice.
Still curious? Read the sight words FAQ.
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