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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Vowel sounds and when 'an' is not used
Dear Language/Grammar Advisor ...
I am aware 'an' is usually used to precede words with vowels, such as those beginning with a e i o u.
My question is, when is 'an' not used to precede words beginning with a e i o u?
For example, I am writing a document about 'a unified solution'. I know 'a' should precede the word 'unified' and not 'an'.
In this case, how should I explain this as a proper English usage? Are there resource or qualified documents that talks about this that I can use to explain?
Appreciate your advice. Thank you.
I am aware 'an' is usually used to precede words with vowels, such as those beginning with a e i o u.
My question is, when is 'an' not used to precede words beginning with a e i o u?
For example, I am writing a document about 'a unified solution'. I know 'a' should precede the word 'unified' and not 'an'.
In this case, how should I explain this as a proper English usage? Are there resource or qualified documents that talks about this that I can use to explain?
Appreciate your advice. Thank you.
Top answer
Hi, Briefly put, it is not a matter of whether the word simply starts with a vowel. It depends on whether the word is pronounced with a vowel sound. eg A unified solution.
- Hi, Briefly put, it is not a matter of whether the word simply starts with a vowel.
- It depends on whether the word is pronounced with a vowel sound.
- eg A unified solution.
- pronounced with a Y sound, YUN-ified eg A university.
- pronounced with a Y sound, YUN-iversity eg An ugly man pronounced with a vowel sound, UH-gly eg An umbrella pronounced with a vowel sound, UM-brella Clive
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1 Answers
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Hi,
Briefly put, it is not a matter of whether the word simply starts with a vowel. It depends on whether the word is pronounced with a vowel sound.
eg A unified solution. pronounced with a Y sound, YUN-ified
eg A university. pronounced with a Y sound, YUN-iversity
eg An ugly man pronounced with a vowe
Briefly put, it is not a matter of whether the word simply starts with a vowel. It depends on whether the word is pronounced with a vowel sound.
eg A unified solution. pronounced with a Y sound, YUN-ified
eg A university. pronounced with a Y sound, YUN-iversity
eg An ugly man pronounced with a vowe
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