Have you subscribed to The Write Fit?

A versus An

Posted by Wendy Wood on 17th December , 2019 in Grammar
Share this

I know it must be tough living with a proofreader.

My husband and I have been married for more than 29 years. I love him dearly. But every night I cringe when I hear him tell Siri, “Set a alarm for 5:30 a.m.”

So, honey, here’s what I’ve been meaning to tell you about the use of a and an.

 

A: Indefinite article, use before nouns with consonant sounds (a dog, a cat, a lamp)

An: Indefinite article, use before nouns with vowel sounds (an honour, an hour, an overview, an alarm).

 

Remember, though, pronunciation rather than spelling is the key: for example, you would use an before words like hour and honour because the initial h is not pronounced, while words like union and user take a because they are pronounced as if beginning with an initial y consonant.

Wendy Wood, proofreader.

 

Did you enjoy Super Grammar?

Get a new and super useful grammar tip from our proofreader Wendy, directly to your inbox, once a fortnight in Typeset’s The Write Fit newsletter. Subscribe here:

 

thumbnail

Know what you need?
Get in touch for an obligation-free chat!

Let's get started

© 2024 Typeset®. All rights reserved. Work With Us

I’d like free content marketing insights
Pop your email in the box and we’ll keep in touch through our newsletter, which is jam-packed with great information and advice. (We’ll never pass on your details to anyone!)


Site by StudioJS