Vindication From a Formally Reliable Source!

[DigDog]

i makes his own grammar and know it is best.

(of course with un certain regard to crushing one's enemies, seeing them being driven before you, and hearing the lamentations of the women - obviously)

 

[Doom Monger]

How about Anne Howe?

(nsfw if you google image her)

I tried googling her, but it was to Noah Vale. Maybe if I axe somebody at the liberry they'll no.

 

[SamQuint]

I always feel "an USB drive" sounds wrong but "a USB drive" sounds right.

 

[dullard]

I always feel "an USB drive" sounds wrong but "a USB drive" sounds right.

You are correctly going by what we are supposed to go by: the first sound of the next word, not the first letter.

"A university professor" vs. "An university professor"
"A union leader" vs. "An union leader"
"A unique problem" vs. "An unique problem"
"A USB drive" vs. "An USB drive".

All four examples correctly use "A" not "An" because the first sound of the next word is a consonant sound, not a vowel sound.

"A ugly post on ATOT" vs. "An ugly post on ATOT"

This time, the "An" version is correct because "ugly" starts with a vowel sound.

 

[zinfamous]

I wonder if this rule came into being once it became apparent that ~70% of british folks can't fucking pronounce their h's?

example:

"A howler of a storm!" is correct....but what if a British person is speaking? How would they say it, and what would be correct?"

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

The Erie Canal.

Thuh or thee?

 

[Doom Monger]

You are correctly going by what we are supposed to go by: the first sound of the next word, not the first letter.

"A university professor" vs. "An university professor"
"A union leader" vs. "An union leader"
"A unique problem" vs. "An unique problem"
"A USB drive" vs. "An USB drive".

All four examples correctly use "A" not "An" because the first sound of the next word is a consonant sound, not a vowel sound.

"A ugly post on ATOT" vs. "An ugly post on ATOT"

This time, the "An" version is correct because "ugly" starts with a vowel sound.

That was a useful explanation which is an unusual thing around here.

The Erie Canal.

Thuh or thee?

Thee Erie Canal
Thuh Panama Canal


Except that I can accept it if you use that one wrong since it's close. The audio effect won't affect my mood.

 

[snoopy7548]

An Anandtech. Try to say that. I bet you can't!

 

[WelshBloke]

I wonder if this rule came into being once it became apparent that ~70% of british folks can't fucking pronounce their h's?

example:

"A howler of a storm!" is correct....but what if a British person is speaking? How would they say it, and what would be correct?"

We would say "Its fucking windy out there!"

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

"A howler of a storm!" is correct....but what if a British person is speaking? How would they say it,

An'owlah uva stawm.