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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'.
What else can I help you with?
Should an or a be use before a word that begins with a vowel?
An is used before a vowel sound: An awful mess, but a usual thing
Should i use A or AN before HSA?
An. An H sound starts with a vowel 'aitch' therefore you would say 'An HSA'.
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.
Do your use a or an before useful?
You would use "a" before "useful" when it is followed by a consonant sound. For example, "a useful tool." You would use "an" before "useful" when it is followed by a vowel sound. For example, "an useful addition."
When to use an in a sentence?
when preceding a common noun beginning with a vowel sound (vowels are a, e, i, o, u). For example: an apple, an elephant, an idea, an orphan
Should an or a be use before a word that begins with a vowel?
An is used before a vowel sound: An awful mess, but a usual thing
When are you supposed to use a or an?
If the word begins in a vowel (a,e,i,o or U) you use an. If it begins in any other letter you use a.
Should i use A or AN before HSA?
An. An H sound starts with a vowel 'aitch' therefore you would say 'An HSA'.
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.
Do your use a or an before useful?
You would use "a" before "useful" when it is followed by a consonant sound. For example, "a useful tool." You would use "an" before "useful" when it is followed by a vowel sound. For example, "an useful addition."
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.
When to use an in a sentence?
when preceding a common noun beginning with a vowel sound (vowels are a, e, i, o, u). For example: an apple, an elephant, an idea, an orphan
Do you put an before uncle?
Yes, you would use "an" before "uncle" if "uncle" begins with a vowel sound, as in "an uncle."
Does the word use have a long or short vowel sound?
Use has a "long" U.
How do you know when to use a and when to use an?
Normally, you use 'an' before a word that begins with a vowel, such as 'an apple.' An 'a' is used before a word that begins with a consonant, such as 'a webpage.' Sometimes 'an' is used before a word that begins with a consonant, such as 'an honorable man.'"The sound, not the spelling, of the following word makes the determination, so it's 'an honor', 'an hour', 'an honest man', but 'a house', 'a horse', or 'a horrible man'.It works the other way, too - when the word starts with a vowel but has a consonant sound - 'a union', but 'an umbrella' or 'it's not an elephant; it's a ewe. '"
Do you use 'a' or 'an' before an abbreviation?
It depends on how you pronounce the abbreviation. You use "an" before a vowel sound, so if the abbreviation starts with a vowel sound, even if it does not start with a vowel, you would use "an" before it. For example, you would say "an SUV", because you would pronounce this "an ess you vee"--the letter "s" is pronounced "ess", and that starts with a vowel sound. An abbreviation that starts with a consonant sound is CEO, so you would say "a CEO", because that is pronounced "a see ee oh".
