| Posted By |
Message |
Diva
I am what I am
Member since 12/05 2825 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Grammar experts
I always thought you're supposed to use "an" when using a word starting with a vowel. Is this always the case? I know this is a stupid question, but I'm just not sure.
|
Posted 8/10/06 4:17 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
|
Re: Grammar experts
That is correct as far as I know
An Apple
A bananna
An Orange.....etc
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:19 PM |
| |
|
Diva
I am what I am
Member since 12/05 2825 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: Grammar experts
Whew, than I'm not going crazy. But are there ever exceptions? I just now (I know, brain fart) noticed, in reference to a news article it read "A US official" 
Message edited 8/10/2006 4:21:45 PM.
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:21 PM |
| |
|
curliegirl
He's here!!!!
Member since 3/06 10128 total posts
Name:
Gina
|
Re: Grammar experts
Posted by Diva
Whew, than I'm not going crazy. But are there ever exceptions? I just now (I know, brain fart) noticed, in reference to a news article it read "A US official"
I think because it stands for United States, so 'an United States official' is incorrect?
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:22 PM |
| |
|
MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
|
Re: Grammar experts
Posted by Diva
Whew, than I'm not going crazy. But are there ever exceptions? I just now (I know, brain fart) noticed, in reference to a news article it read "A US official"
That is correct. Not sure why though, but AN us official is not correct. 
There are other exceptions as well. You would not say a honorable mention, you would say AN honorable mention....
Message edited 8/10/2006 4:23:42 PM.
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:22 PM |
| |
|
Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
|
Re: Grammar experts
Posted by Diva
Whew, than I'm not going crazy. But are there ever exceptions? I just now (I know, brain fart) noticed, in reference to a news article it read "A US official"
I never really thought about it, but it seems like when it's the "long u" sound, it gets an "a"
a ukelele
a unicorn
a used _____
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:23 PM |
| |
|
MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Grammar experts
The rule is that the word must have a vowel SOUND.
an hour
United starts more with a y sound than a u sound.
an uppercut
an ugly shirt
an understatement
a yoke
a yuletide greeting
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:25 PM |
| |
|
Goldi0218
My miracles!
Member since 12/05 23902 total posts
Name:
Leslie
|
Re: Grammar experts
Lame internet search revealed the following to me:
"A" goes before all words that begin with consonants.
a cat
a dog
a purple onion
a buffalo
a big apple
with one exception: Use an before unsounded h.
an honorable peace
an honest error
"An" goes before all words that begin with vowels:
an apricot
an egg
an Indian
an orbit
an uprising
with two exceptions: When u makes the same sound as the y in you, or o makes the same sound as w in won, then a is used.
a union
a united front
a unicorn
a used napkin
a U.S. ship
a one-legged man
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:26 PM |
| |
|
Diva
I am what I am
Member since 12/05 2825 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
|
Re: Grammar experts
Posted by MissJones
The rule is that the word must have a vowel SOUND.
an hour
United starts more with a y sound than a u sound.
an uppercut
an ugly shirt
an understatement
a yoke
a yuletide greeting
Yes, this makes total sense. OK, I was beginning to question my entire education!!
Thanks for clearing this up.
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:27 PM |
| |
|
kathleeng
Member since 5/05 3775 total posts
Name:
Kathleen
|
Re: Grammar experts
Posted by MsMBV
Posted by Diva
Whew, than I'm not going crazy. But are there ever exceptions? I just now (I know, brain fart) noticed, in reference to a news article it read "A US official"
That is correct. Not sure why though, but AN us official is not correct.
There are other exceptions as well. You would not say a honorable mention, you would say AN honorable mention....
I think it may have something to do with the U in US being a long vowel (thus saying its name). Does this make any sense? For example in "an apple" , the "a" is a short vowel. In the case of a first letter, I think it is only short vowels that follow this rule. I could be wrong though?
|
| Posted 8/10/06 4:28 PM |
| |
|
