# an

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/an
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 2. per or each

preposition · CEFR B1

used to show a rate or price for each thing.

For teachers: functions as a distributive preposition meaning 'per' or 'for each'.

- The apples cost two dollars an ounce at the local market.
- The medication should be administered twice an hour until the patient's heart rate stabilizes.

Usage: Commonly used in expressions of frequency or price.

Teaching tip: This is a more natural, less formal alternative to 'per' in everyday speech.

### 3. if

conjunction · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

an old word that means 'if'.

For teachers: a conditional conjunction meaning 'if'; primarily found in Early Modern English texts.

- An it please the king, we shall depart at once.
- The courtier whispered that he would perform the task, an it were the lady's true desire.

Usage: Often appears in the phrase 'an it please you'.

Teaching tip: Only relevant for students reading Shakespeare or other period literature.

## Examples

- She ate an apple for lunch.
- It took an hour to get to the airport because of the heavy traffic.
- Choosing an appropriate response to an unexpected crisis requires both experience and a calm temperament.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.