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Thread: "A" vs "An" ....grammar trivia

  1. #1
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    "A" vs "An" ....grammar trivia

    OK, I have seen two posters use this, one repeatedly...

    Just information, that's all...

    "A" is used before a word that starts with a consonant/hard sound, eg, "A dog", "A cat". "A house".

    "An" is used before a word that starts with a vowel/vowel sound, eg, "An error", "An inkling", "An opportunity".

    That's all.
    "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

  2. #2
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    Aha!

    There's a answer to everything?

  3. #3
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    FYI, we were taught to also use "an" for a word starting with an "h" which is silent.

    So it would be an hour, not a hour.

    But a house is correct, because you pronounce the 'h.'
    .

  4. #4
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    Just the other day I was sending an email to my co-workers saying I had an/a UBOC envelope. When using just letters which one would it be? Saying it outloud it sounds better to say "a" UBOC, but is that correct??
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  5. #5
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    Ooh Cindy, good thought. For example anything that begins with a "u" that is pronounced like the letter "U" I would use "a." For example, "a united front," "a picture of a unicorn." But if it sounds like "uh", I would say "an." For example: "an umbrella," "an unexpected surprise," and so on.

  6. #6
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    I am reminded of a Monty Python sketch.
    "He is an Halibut."

    Niño & Eliza



  7. #7
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    It does depend on the sound of the word, which is why I added 'vowel sound' or a 'hard sound'.

    UNBC - that starts with a "y" sound, so "a" is correct. ("y" is a vowel only "sometimes" - remember memorizing the vowels in the early grades? )

    And "hour" does start without the H sound, so "an" goes with that.

    LOL - I remember "An Halibut". Eric the Half-A-Bee! (Half-An-Bee??? )
    "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

  8. #8
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    THANK YOU for posting this! It annoys me when I see this mistake made continually. Surely it sounds un-natural to say to yourself in your head as you type, for example, 'an dog' or 'a argument'?

    Zimbabwe 07/13


  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by Suki Wingy View Post
    I am reminded of a Monty Python sketch.
    "He is an Halibut."


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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ginger's Mom View Post
    Ooh Cindy, good thought. For example anything that begins with a "u" that is pronounced like the letter "U" I would use "a." For example, "a united front," "a picture of a unicorn." But if it sounds like "uh", I would say "an." For example: "an umbrella," "an unexpected surprise," and so on.
    Exactly!! LOL

    Quote Originally Posted by Catty1 View Post
    It does depend on the sound of the word, which is why I added 'vowel sound' or a 'hard sound'.

    UNBC - that starts with a "y" sound, so "a" is correct. ("y" is a vowel only "sometimes" - remember memorizing the vowels in the early grades? )

    And "hour" does start without the H sound, so "an" goes with that.

    LOL - I remember "An Halibut". Eric the Half-A-Bee! (Half-An-Bee??? )
    That's what I thought. Thanks Candace.
    Our goal in life should be - to be as good a person as our dog thinks we are.

    Thank you for the siggy, Michelle!


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  11. #11
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    Another one that drives me crazy is a lot and alot or even allot.

    A lot: a considerable quantity or extent

    Allot: to assign as a share or portion, or to distribute by or as if by lot

    and don't even get me started on the apostrophes!

    Niño & Eliza



  12. #12
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    Thank you!

    Another one is "noone" NO SUCH WORD, PEOPLE! It's two words - No one. Thank you. Rant over
    Last edited by RedHedd; 07-14-2008 at 06:01 PM.

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  13. #13
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    What about there, their, and they're!?! I see those misused all the time! I know how to use them correctly, but to explain it?

  14. #14
    There is used in regards to a place. "We went there too!"

    Their is possessive. "The dog is theirs." "This is their dog."

    They're is a contraction of They and Are. "They're our relatives."

  15. #15
    How about the one I see used incorrectly all the time, which really irks the crap out of me.

    Use "I" and "Me" correctly in a sentence.

    I see people use "I" incorrectly all the time, because I think they think it sounds or looks like the proper way to say/write it.

    If you can say "I" in the sentence without the other person being in it, and it still makes sense, then you're using "I" correctly.

    My mother and I went to see the concert. I went to see the concert.

    This is a picture of my mother and me. This is a picture of me.

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