"A" vs "An" ....grammar trivia

[Ginger's Mom]

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.

[Suki Wingy]

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

[Catty1]

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??? )

[Miss Z]

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'?

[Taz_Zoee]

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

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.

[Suki Wingy]

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!

[RedHedd]

Thank you!

Another one is "noone" NO SUCH WORD, PEOPLE! It's two words - No one. Thank you. Rant over

[jesse_3]

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?

[Gracefulsarah]

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

Ugh, tell me about it. I saw a truck pulling a trailer a few weeks ago with the business name painted all over it. The painting was professionally done and looked beautiful. The business name? Patio's Galore. Um... Hello? sheesh.

[lizbud]

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