The real rule is this: You use the article “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound.The “u” in “unique” makes the “Y” sound—a consonant sound—therefore you use “a” as your article, while the “h” in “hour” sounds like it starts with “ow”—a vowel sound.
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Do you use an before the letter u?
Use the article an before a word beginning with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) or a vowel sound (words beginning with a silent h as heir, hour). Words that start with eu or u that are pronounced with a long u or pronounced like “you” use the article a before them.
What is the rule about using an with u?
When “u” makes the same sound as the “y” in “you,” or “o” makes the same sound as “w” in “won,” then a is used.
Is it a or an before H?
For the letter “H”, the pronunciation dictates the indefinite article: Use “a” before words where you pronounce the letter “H” such as “a hat,” “a house” or “a happy cat.” Use “an” before words where you don’t pronounce the letter “H” such as “an herb,” “an hour,” or “an honorable man.”
Is it a or an before N?
Articles with Acronyms, a or an
If you pronounce a letter as a letter and it begins with a vowel sound, you should precede it with an. The consonants with vowel sounds include f, h, l, m, n, r, s, and x.
Do you use an before abbreviation?
Acronyms are rarely preceded by a or an, except when used adjectivally, says the Chicago Manual of Style. If you have to use an acronym with an indefinite article, the way an acronym is read aloud determines which indefinite article precedes it. Use an before acronyms beginning with a vowel sound.
What are some u words?
English words starting with U – “uh” sound
- ugly.
- umbrella.
- unexpected.
- unlucky.
- unhappy.
- unattractive.
- ultimate.
- uncle.
Do you put a or an before acronyms?
When the indefinite article is used before an acronym, the choice of form (a or an) depends on pronunciation, not on spelling; in other words, use a if the acronym begins with a consonant sound, and an if it begins with a vowel sound: a NATO decision (a before the consonant sound n)
Is it a or an before F?
Use AN before words such as “hour” which sound like they start with a vowel even if the first letter is a consonant. Also use AN before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a vowel, such as “F” or “8”.
Is it a or an before honest?
The words that start with a vowel sound, like ‘honest’ or ‘honorable’, should have ‘an’ before them. Examples: an hour late, an honest person, an heir to the throne, an honorable idea. Even though these words begin with ‘h’, a consonant, when you pronounce them, the ‘h’ is silent.
Is it a or an before R?
Since the word following the article “a” was a consonant, I automatically went for “a” instead of “an”. The problem is that “R” sounds likes a vowel, so “a R package” grates on the listener. The correct rule is to use “an” when the word following the article “sounds like a vowel”.
Do you use an for M?
Yes, it is correct. You use ‘an’ before a vowel sound. M starts with a vowel soun /em/.
Is it A or an NGO?
Because the letter N is pronounced “en,” it’s “an NGO” but when the phrase is spoken instead of the abbreviation, it’s “a non-governmental organization.”
What article is before Ma?
The abbreviation “MA” starts with a vowel sound, like “em”, so we use “an” rather than “a”. This rule is complicated somewhat by variations in pronunciation. For example, in the USA you would write “an herb”, while in the UK you would write “a herb”.
Is it a or an before L?
“an” distinction is phonetically based. If you say L T I, when you pronounce the letter L is pronounced “el” (as in the proper name “Eleanor”) which starts with a vowel. If the acronym had been dispensed with, you would have used “A” instead.
Does an go before M?
That’s why “a,” not “an,” goes before the “European.” Though “European” starts with the vowel “e,” it’s pronounced as though it starts with the consonant sound of “y.” Similarly, that’s why “an” goes before “MBA.” Yes, “m” is a consonant. But the letter is pronounced “em,” beginning with an “e” sound.
Is it A or A before?
The rule is: Use an before a word beginning with a vowel sound (not letter). It doesn’t matter how the word is spelled. It just matters how it is pronounced. Use a before a word with a consonant sound as well as y and w sounds.
What is a positive word for u?
Words Beginning With U That Have 6 or Fewer Letters
| Word | Definition | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|
| up (prep.) | higher away from the ground | at the top |
| upbeat (adj.) | lively or cheerful | optimistic, cheerful, lively |
| upcast (adj.) | thrown upward | boost, lift, promote |
| uplift (v.) | influence someone in a positive way | inspire, stir, move |
What is a nice word that starts with U?
List of Positive Words that Start with U
- Ultimate.
- Unconditional.
- Unequaled.
- Unequivocal.
- Unerring.
- Upbeat.
- Upright.
- Upstanding.
What is a 4 letter word that starts with U?
4-letter words starting with U
| UAEs | UAVs |
|---|---|
| uggs | ughs |
| UGLE | ugli |
| ugly | Uhls |
| UHMW | UICs |
Do you say a RN or an RN?
The rule of thumb is usually A before consonants and AN before vowels. BUT — when consonants make vowels sounds, you use AN, and when vowels make consonant sounds, use A. So, the real way to tell is to listen to the sound. In this case, RN makes a vowel sound, so it would be “an” RN.