Putting an 'a' or an 'an'?

by Barry Ridgers
5th August 2012

With a sentence which uses an abbreviation, what is the correct or preferred way of putting it. e.g

When writing 'a' MC into a... or

When writing 'an' MC into a...?

(MC: main character)

Replies

Thanks Jonathan and Anthony,

I think I'll avoid abbreviations :-)

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Barry
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Barry Ridgers
06/08/2012

Hi Jonathan,

Agreed the English language is complicated, though the 3rd rule only applies to vowel's where they sound like a consonant.

Even though 'FA cup final' starts with an 'eff' sound, I'd suggest that the correct usage is 'a' purely based on rule 1 above.

But this is just my interpretation of it...

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Anthony Scott Glenn
05/08/2012

ASG - they don't work for abbreviations (a FA cup final? Non!)

Good point concerning 'U' though - English is a **** for exceptions :)

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