The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

The indefinite article with proper names

The indefinite article can be used with a proper name to express uncertainty about the person's identity or that the speaker does not know the person:

A Mr Smith

was looking for you this morning.

(Someone called Mr Smith was looking for you this morning.)

The indefinite article can also be used before a proper name to refer to the characteristic features of the person:

He was

an Einstein

of his time.

A proper name with an indefinite article can refer to a work of art created by the person:

He bought

a Picasso

at Sotheby's in 1970.

(He bought a painting by Picasso.)

Related topics:

The definite article with proper names

The zero article with proper names