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TJH126 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
"An" before words beginning with "L."
I am having a problem that perhaps exists most prominently in my own head. But seemingly, I have noticed that "an" has started to be used frequently before words beginning with "L." Such as let's say the acronym "LED" (light emitting diodes) i.e., "I would like to purchase an LED kit for my car." That is not correct, is it?
Top answer
Hi TJH, and welcome to English Forums. " Abbreviations will use "an" if they start with F, H, L, M, N, R, S, or X, as well as with the vowels. An FBI agent came to my house asking about you.
- Hi TJH, and welcome to English Forums.
- " Abbreviations will use "an" if they start with F, H, L, M, N, R, S, or X, as well as with the vowels.
- An FBI agent came to my house asking about you.
- We have an MOU with the purchasers.
- You'll need an X-ray.
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10 Answers
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Hi TJH, and welcome to English Forums.
The problem you're having is that "LED" is not a word, but an abbreviation, and is pronounced "ell-ee-dee." Because the pronunciation starts with a vowel sound (ell), you use "an" instead of "a."
Abbreviations will use "an" if they start with F, H, L, M, N, R, S, or X, as well as with the vowels.
An FBI agent came to my house asking
The problem you're having is that "LED" is not a word, but an abbreviation, and is pronounced "ell-ee-dee." Because the pronunciation starts with a vowel sound (ell), you use "an" instead of "a."
Abbreviations will use "an" if they start with F, H, L, M, N, R, S, or X, as well as with the vowels.
An FBI agent came to my house asking
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Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! Language rules come up, change, morph, go back to normal, etc. It is just so confusing to me sometimes- and I'm a writer!
You rule!
You rule!
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Desmond Bailor,
Thanks very much for the explanation, I have learnt how to use "an" in front of abbreviations starting with F H L M N R S X
Thanks very much for the explanation, I have learnt how to use "an" in front of abbreviations starting with F H L M N R S X
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How about the phrase "...favored me with an reproachful frown"? Should the indefinite article be "a" or "an"?
Thank you.
Thank you.
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TJH126I have noticed that "an" has started to be used frequently before words beginning with "L." Such as let's say the acronym "LED"They aren't words but abbreviations. Each letter is said separately.
See
CJ
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Not all vowels though. We say, "a UN meeting" and Y (even though it's only sometimes a vowel) is also "a YMC". Otherwise, you're completely right.
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an LED kit
You are mistaken if you think the written letter that begins the next word determines the choice between 'a' and 'an'. It is the pronunciation.
an ELL EE DEE kit is the pronunciation.
CJ
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