answersLogoWhite

0

When the word immediately following it begins with a vowel sound. Note that, beginning with a vowel sound is not the same thing as beginning with a vowel. "Honest" begins with a consonant but the "h" is silent, so the first sound is a vowel sound ("o"), and you would therefore use "an" ("an honest man"). On the other hand, "uniform" begins with a vowel, but the "u" is pronounced with a "y" sound (a consonant sound) and therefore, you would use "a" ("a uniform").

Note that an "h" at the beginning of a word is not always silent, and when it is not, you would use "a", as in "a historical fact". Similarly, a "u" at the beginning of a word is not always pronounced with a "y" sound, and when it is not, you would use "an", as in "an unfit mother".

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?