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Sarah88 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Article Questions

'On second thoughts' phrase, Why there is no "the" before "second" and uses "thoughts", not "thought"?

'I was hoping to take an HRM course', why uses 'an', not 'a'? Should I always use "an" in front of "H",words? Please explain with examples.

Many thanks,

S.
  

Top answer

On second thought is indeed the usual fixed phrase, but many people use the plural. No the necessary, since it is first mention of 'thought'. an HRM because 'H' is pronounced with an initial vowel sound: / eitsh / .

— Mister Micawber

  • On second thought is indeed the usual fixed phrase, but many people use the plural.
  • No the necessary, since it is first mention of 'thought'.
  • an HRM because 'H' is pronounced with an initial vowel sound: / eitsh / .
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4 Answers
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On second thought is indeed the usual fixed phrase, but many people use the plural. No the necessary, since it is first mention of 'thought'.

an HRM because 'H' is pronounced with an initial vowel sound: /eitsh/
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Okay, so you mean we should use "an" in front of all the abbreviation start with "H"? Is there another letter applied to this rule as well?
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Acronyms come in two sorts, the kind that are pronounced like a word (NATO) and the kind that are pronounced letter by letter (MBA). (The latter are called 'initialisms'.) In either case, if the way it is said starts with a vowel sound, use an:

an MBA degree
a MOMA patron
a NATO representative
an NRA lobbyist
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oh I see. I will pay more attention to these letters in the future.

thanks,

S.
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