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

'An' before a word starting with a vowel. 'A' for consonants.

There are exceptions to the rule however, where a word starts with a vowel but has the sound of a consonant. For example:

The London College of Communication is a University.

The explanation:

Using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...

- a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog

- an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan

- a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle

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Anthony Scott
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Anthony Scott Glenn
05/08/2012

'An' in front of a vowel-sound works for me, but whether it's correct or not is a moot point :)

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