"A" or "An"?

[Jstpssng]

I always have problems with this. The first example above is when the next letter starts with a consonant; the latter when it starts with a vowel.
But what about abbreviations? Today I wrote "I'm thinking about buying an LX25..."
Using the rule above my wording is wrong, yet it sounds much better than "I'm thinking about buying a LX25..."
Then again, if I have time to post this than I must have too much time on my hands.

 

[bcp]

"L" = "ell" starts with a vowel sound. Use "an."

Bruce

 

[MoKelly]

"L" = "ell" starts with a vowel sound. Use "an."

Bruce

^^^^ Exactly. Next word (letter) begins with a vowel sound you use an.

MoKelly

 

[Jstpssng]

"L" = "ell" starts with a vowel sound. Use "an."

Bruce

Ah! That makes sense. Thank you. It's pretty trivial, but I hate it when I misspel, or make punctuation; errors.

 

[MossRoad]

I always have problems with this. The first example above is when the next letter starts with a consonant; the latter when it starts with a vowel.
But what about abbreviations? Today I wrote "I'm thinking about buying an LX25..."
Using the rule above my wording is wrong, yet it sounds much better than "I'm thinking about buying a LX25..."
Then again, if I have time to post this than I must have too much time on my hands.

It's not the letter that the word starts with that dictates the use, it's the sound. If it sounds like a vowel, use AN.

An or A?

An and a are easy to mix up. Use 'an' when the next word starts with a vowel sound. Use 'a' when it starts with a consonant sound. The word sound is important. Some abbreviations that start with consonants start with vowel sounds (e.g., RTA, NTU) and vice versa.

www.grammar-monster.com

 

[drssg]

The problem I have with proofreading is that my mind wants to read what I meant to write, instead of what's really there. I sometimes miss glaring errors and missing words that looked fine when I proofread.

 

[MoKelly]

The problem I have with proofreading is that my mind wants to read what I meant to write, instead of what's really there. I sometimes miss glaring errors and missing words that looked fine when I proofread.

True. When I just started working full time, we always had someone different proofread our reports. You never proofed your own report for the reasons you state.

MoKelly

 

[dougtrr2]

Proof reading works better if you actually say the words. Looking for typo's works better if you go backwards from bottom to top and right to left.

Doug in SW IA

 

[Richard]

So am I the only one that cringes when I see (what I expect to be) educated talking heads on TV use the phrase "An Historic....."

Just sounds so wrong.

 

[crreed67]

It's not the letter that the word starts with that dictates the use, it's the sound. If it sounds like a vowel, use AN.

An or A?

An and a are easy to mix up. Use 'an' when the next word starts with a vowel sound. Use 'a' when it starts with a consonant sound. The word sound is important. Some abbreviations that start with consonants start with vowel sounds (e.g., RTA, NTU) and vice versa.

www.grammar-monster.com

It's "an" Honor.......
not
It's "a" Honor.........

 

[k0ua]

I am surprised someone hasn't mentioned the one about an uncle named Jack and assistance from his nephew in dismounting a horse.

 

[Jstpssng]

I am surprised someone hasn't mentioned the one about an uncle named Jack and assistance from his nephew in dismounting a horse.

I asked a friend that question once and he said "done it". Equestrians do a lot of things which the rest of us never consider.

(I've edited this post twice; once for spelling, the other for grammar.)

 

[Xfaxman]

At least you know how to edit.

So many don't know how or just don't even try.

 

[ruffdog]

Hmmm...I'm thinking I must prooferdd my work more as I know I've many mistakes. Grammar was not a good subject for me.

 

[Xfaxman]

Yep, fer shore.

 

[Idahoagie]

You're opinions are all great. Your correct with you're observations.

(Yeah, this one is a pet annoyance of mine. I don't own a "correct".)

 

[Username Taken]

I think it's the way it sounds, too.

For instance, the word 'Hotel' starts with a consonant but most English language types will say 'an Hotel' not 'a hotel'

It's confusing sometimes. In alpha-numeric systems, the letter 'H' usually isn't even given a value.

 

[drssg]

I am surprised someone hasn't mentioned the one about an uncle named Jack and assistance from his nephew in dismounting a horse.

I don't understand this post.

 

[Xfaxman]

Think about artificial insemination.

 

[Jstpssng]

I don't understand this post.

If Jack helped you off a horse would you ____ ____ ___ _ _____

Fill in the blanks.