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Blah Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Using "a" or "an" in concert with parenthesis

If I were writing a sentence that included a parenthetical word or phrase before a word beginning with a vowel, which would be used preceding the parenthetical: 'a' or 'an'?

Example:
"He is a/an (very) interesting person."

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

Parenthetical additions to a sentence are not a part of its structure, but I admit that it often reads oddly when you ignore them. I suggest recasting the sentence: in yours. 'very' hardly seems worthy of parentheses.

— Mister Micawber

  • Parenthetical additions to a sentence are not a part of its structure, but I admit that it often reads oddly when you ignore them.
  • I suggest recasting the sentence: in yours.
  • 'very' hardly seems worthy of parentheses.
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2 Answers
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Parenthetical additions to a sentence are not a part of its structure, but I admit that it often reads oddly when you ignore them. I suggest recasting the sentence: in yours. 'very' hardly seems worthy of parentheses.
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Yes, the example I used was a very hastily composed one; I wouldn't normally use parenthesis in that situation.

Thanks for your help!
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