0
Yes, not before a vowel, but before the soundof a vowel.
Examples : an event, an imitation, an Opera
There are words that start with a vowel (mostly U) but have a consonant sound.
Examples : a uniform, a unit, a unique opportunity
Similarly, there are words where the consonant (mostly H) is not heard.
Examples : an hour, an honor, an honest man.
Yes!
Language background: 'An' means 'one'. So 'an apple' means 'one apple'.
* The word 'an' is the form of the 'indefinite article' used before nouns or adjectives which start with a vowel sound. Examples: an angry customer, an igloo, an octopus, an umbrella, an undeniable truth. Also, compare an elephant with a tiger!
* The 'n' in anis dropped/omitted, and becomes 'a' if the following word starts with a consonant sound. Compare:A banana / an orange; A big house / an empty house; a big breakfast / anenormous breakfast!
REASON for two forms a/an:
Use of 'a' eliminates the double consonant sound. e.g. It is easier to say a banana than an banana, which would have a double consonant 'an banana', and which would be incorrect anyway!
POINTS TO NOTE:
* Some words are written as starting with a consonant but their pronunciation starts with a vowel sound. In these cases 'an'is used. Examples: An honor/honour, an honest person, an hour. * Some words start with a vowel which is pronounced like a consonant! In this case a is used: Example: a university, a universal truth, a useful guide.
IN ALL CASES it is not how the following word is written that matters, it is how it is pronouncedthat decides whether a or an is the correct form for the preceeding 'indefinite article'.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Should an or a be use before a word that begins with a vowel?
It depends on the sound of the first letter. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple) and "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a house).
When should you use a and when should you use an?
Use "a" before a word that starts with a consonant sound, and use "an" before a word that starts with a vowel sound. For example, "a cat" (pronounced as kæt) and "an apple" (pronounced as əˈpl̩). Remember that it is based on the sound, not the actual letter.
When to use an in a sentence?
Use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound, such as "an apple" or "an open door." Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound, such as "a car" or "a book."
How do you know when to use a and when to use an?
Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound, and use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound. The choice depends on the sound of the following word, not the first letter. For example, "a cat" (consonant sound) and "an apple" (vowel sound).
Do you put an before uncle?
Yes, you would use "an" before "uncle" if "uncle" begins with a vowel sound, as in "an uncle."
Should an or a be use before a word that begins with a vowel?
It depends on the sound of the first letter. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple) and "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a house).
Do you use 'a' or 'an' before an abbreviation?
Use 'a' or 'an' before an abbreviation based on the sound of the first letter in the abbreviation. If the first letter sounds like a consonant, use 'a'; if it sounds like a vowel, use 'an'. For example, "a UFO" (pronounced as "yoo-eff-oh") and "an MRI" (pronounced as "em-ar-eye").
When should you use a and when should you use an?
Use "a" before a word that starts with a consonant sound, and use "an" before a word that starts with a vowel sound. For example, "a cat" (pronounced as kæt) and "an apple" (pronounced as əˈpl̩). Remember that it is based on the sound, not the actual letter.
Why do you put 'a' before a consonant and 'an' before a vowel?
The indefinite article is "an," a form of "one." Its n is dropped before a consonant sound, but preserved before a vowel sound.
Is the word use short vowel?
No. Use has a long vowel sound.
Why do we say an MD player instead of a MD player?
Because the letter M has a vowel sound preceding it. You say "an" before a vowel sound, and "a" before a consonant sound.
Does 'the' have a short vowel sound?
No.When used before a vowel sound, "the" has a long E sound.(The animal is wild.)When used before a consonant, "the" has a schwa or unstressed sound (thuh).(The wild animal is loose)
When do you use the word the with a long e?
The article "the" is pronounced with a long E when it precedes another vowel sound, as in "the open door" (the) or "the animals" (thee). When it precedes a consonant sound, it has a schwa sound (thuh). Using (thuh) before a vowel sound has an artificial spoken sound.
Is the word an used before the word urinalysis?
No. "An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, but not all words that begin with vowels begin with vowel sounds. "Urinalysis" begins with a "y" sound, so you would use "a" rather than "an" before it as you would for any word that begins with a "y" sound: a urinalysis, a yawn. Examples of words that begin with "u" and also begin with a vowel sound are "udder", "ugly", and "unhappy".
When to use an and a in a sentence?
The 'a' is used before a word that begins with a consonant sound; the 'an' is used before a word with a vowel sound. Example sentence:An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Should i use A or AN before HSA?
An. An H sound starts with a vowel 'aitch' therefore you would say 'An HSA'.
Why do you use an before X?
The use of "an" before a word starting with the letter X is determined by the sound that follows it. If the word starts with a vowel sound, like in "an umbrella," "an" is used. So, it's based on pronunciation rather than just the letter itself.
