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proper usage of "a" and "an"?

X

xyyz

Diamond Member

how does this really work?

i always thought "a" was used when the following word began with a consonant and "an" was used when the following word began with a vowel.

however, I was recently told that it wasn't so much what the following word began with, but the rule was based on sound.

so, if the following word begins with a consonant sound you use "a" and if the following word begins with a vowel sound you use "an".



can anyone clarify this for me by showing me a reputable source that explains this rule?
 


<< i always thought "a" was used when the following word began with a consonant and "an" was used when the following word began with a vowel. >>



That's how I always thought it work. However, saying "an hour" sounds better than "a hour" 😕
 
I've always heard the same rule you mentioned in your first paragraph. I don't know of a resource that proves this though.
I thought it was dependent on the first letter of the next word.

 
it's a when the following word SOUNDS like it begins with a consonant, and an when the following word SOUNDS like it beins with a vowel.

I don't have reputable source, but that's how it is....
 
It's both... use rule A and B at the same time. Obviously saying something like "a hour" is completely wrong if you say it aloud. You shouldn't have to say it aloud to notice, but maybe some people do. It's usually pretty easy to tell whether to use "an" or "a". I don't see the confusion with this...
 
Sound is the correct criterion. All common vowels have a vowel sound, so it can be an easy way out for an elementary school teacher to teach by letter and not by sound.
 
It's dependent on the sound.

"an hour" (sounds like 'o')
"an herb" (sounds like 'e')

"a union" (sounds like 'y')
"a university" (sounds like 'y')
 
much obliged everyone...

i did a little research and found that it is dependant on the following sound... not on following first letter.

i do have a little problem with this though... you know how sometimes the letter 'y' is considered a vowel? well in this case what do you do?

btw here's another link
 


<<

<< i always thought "a" was used when the following word began with a consonant and "an" was used when the following word began with a vowel. >>



That's how I always thought it work. However, saying "an hour" sounds better than "a hour" 😕 >>



Rule of thumb is anything that starts with a,e,i,o and u carries an artile "an". An excpetion is words starting with silent h such as hour.

I read somewhere that "an" is sometimes used with y's too.

Which is more proper?

Crystal has a yellow car.

Crystal has an yellow car.

You friggin moron, can't you see an yield sign there?!

You friggin moron, can't you see a yield sign there?!
 
Allright, im not american, but i have a decent grammar:

if the first letter of the word sounds like a vowel use an, otherwise a
 


<< Allright, im not american, but i have a decent grammar: >>



you did that one on purpose right? 😉
 
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