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Guest Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Grammar - proper use of a and an
The standard rule for a word beginning with a vowel is to use "an".
Wouldn't the word unique be an exception to the rule?
Wouldn't the word unique be an exception to the rule?
Top answer
Not really, because the rule applies to the spoken sound not the written vowel, which in this case is a 'you' sound, so you use a. this is why so many words beginning with an unsounded 'h', for example honest, take the an.
- Not really, because the rule applies to the spoken sound not the written vowel, which in this case is a 'you' sound, so you use a.
- this is why so many words beginning with an unsounded 'h', for example honest, take the an.
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16 Answers
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Not really, because the rule applies to the spoken sound not the written vowel, which in this case is a 'you' sound, so you use a. this is why so many words beginning with an unsounded 'h', for example honest, take the an.
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A university. A uniform. A unilateral declaration. A useful tool.
With 'historic', it depends on how you pronounce it. Brits would say "A historic day" with a hard H. I think Americans would say "An historic day" with a silent H.
With 'historic', it depends on how you pronounce it. Brits would say "A historic day" with a hard H. I think Americans would say "An historic day" with a silent H.
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You could say that, generally, where "an" precedes an initial "h", the "h" is either silent, or belongs to an unstressed syllable.
In the latter case, both options ("a" and "an") are often available.
Best wishes,
MrP
In the latter case, both options ("a" and "an") are often available.
Best wishes,
MrP
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A goes before CONSONANT sounds whereas AN goes before VOWEL sounds, this is pretty plain to see. And it also makes easier joining the words as we speak.
i.e
a unique, a uniform, a university, a universal problem, a unilateral agreement, a united nation, a once-in-a-lfetime opportunity
an hour, an honest man, an heir
Concerning the word historical, here in Canada
i.e
a unique, a uniform, a university, a universal problem, a unilateral agreement, a united nation, a once-in-a-lfetime opportunity
an hour, an honest man, an heir
Concerning the word historical, here in Canada
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So I would assume the same rule applies to abbreviations: Whereas, "A Human Resources policy" & " An HR policy" are both correct. The deciding factor on what to use preceding the word is based on the sound and not the actual letter.
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