How do you already know whether or not to apply “a” or “an”?
Question
How do you already know whether or not to apply a or an in the front of a noun phrase? — Shunt, United States
Answer
A and an are extraordinary styles of the identical phrase: the indefinite article a this is used earlier than noun phrases. Use a while the noun or adjective that comes subsequent starts offevolved with a consonant sound. Use an while the noun or adjective that comes subsequent starts offevolved with a vowel sound. Remember that what subjects is the pronunciation, now no longer the spelling.
Here are a few examples of the item a observed via way of means of phrases that start with consonant sounds. In instances the phrase after a begins offevolved with vowel letter, however the pronunciation nonetheless starts offevolved with a consonant sound.
a football
a driver`s license
a European country (European starts offevolved with the vowel letter e, however the sound y.)
a menu
a college president (University starts offevolved with the vowel letter u, however the sound y.)
Here are a few examples of the item an observed via way of means of phrases that start with vowel sounds. Notice that during instances, the phrase after an begins offevolved with a consonant letter, however the pronunciation nonetheless starts offevolved with a vowel sound.
an apple
an angry driver
an hour (Hour starts offevolved with the consonant letter h, however the h is silent.)
an correct climate report
an MBA degree (MBA starts offevolved with the consonant letter M, however the M is mentioned with its letter name, “em.”)