Grammar 101: A vs. An

Grammar will be important in the papers you hand in, in your business career, and in how people perceive you.

You should use an “a” before all words that begin with consonants.
* a cat
* a pineapple
* a brown dog
* a popsicle
* a broken crayon

Use “an” before all words that begin with vowels.
* an apple
* an artichoke
* an orangutan
* an iceberg
* an elliptical orbit

There are, of course, a few exceptions to this rule. In American English, for words beginning with an “h,” use “a” if you pronounce the “h” and “an” if you don’t.
* a hotel
* an herbal bouquet
* a honeybee
* an honest reply

For words that begin with “u,” when the “u” sounds like the “y” in “you,” you should use “a” instead of “an.”
* a unicorn
* an umbrella

For words that begin with “o,” when the “o” sounds like the “w” in “won,” you should use “a” instead of “an.”
* a one-hit wonder
* an overbearing boss

Bad Grammar

Image credited: Gez D

Source: Digg Comment

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