Generally, we use the article "an" to go before words that start with a vowel, and the article "a" before words that start with a consonant. There are exceptions to the last, as we use "an" before lots of words that start with a silent consonant or a vowel sound (i.e. an hour). But can you think of exceptions the other way? Words that begin with a vowel that would be preceded by "a" instead of "an?"
spend a second thinking of exceptions… I posed the question to some coworkers and they couldn’t think of any.
I came across an odd one today. or, I should say I realized it today, as I’ve typed or written it many times before. I wrote something today that referenced a utopian society. Then I stared at "a utopian" until I went cross-eyed. Looked it up on google, and it is accepted and correct to say "a utopian."
Got to thinking about it, and it makes sense. You don’t say "I bought an used lawnmower." It’s "a used lawnmower." You have a uniform, a unit, a unilateral whatever… etc.
I guess what seems odd to me is that I can’t recall learning about the rule that describes this exception in the english language. Also, I’m not ditzy or stupid or anything… I wouldn’t even be thinking about this stuff if I wasn’t studying languages right now. I think that’s the point. There are so many things in the language we don’t even think about because it’s our language.
Unfortunately for them, this does not mean I have any less of a problem with the people who move to the US, but don’t speak English.
Quote of the Day:
"He’s speaking Russian, so I’m ignoring him." – Deedee
At least in AP style, and I imagine others, the article is not dictated by the spelling, but by the pronunciation.
Words that start with consonants use an if they sound like they start with vowels, like honorable or STS.
Words that start with vowels use a if they sound like they start with consonants. The “u” words you listed all start with a long “u” sound, which sounds like it starts with a “y” serving as a consonant, as in you. Words that start with short “u” sounds use an, since it’s a vowel sound — an unusual plan versus a usual plan; an ugly wound, etc.
“O” can also take a, for example, when starting a word sounding like a “w” — a one-hit wonder.
you’re right. It’s not just a writing style, it’s how we talk…
It’s not that I didn’t know that… It’s just that we don’t think about the rules behind our language. The interesting point was that none of my coworkers could come up with another exception to using “a” in front of a vowel, even though, after it’s pointed out, it’s exceptionally obvious…
Like I said, I’m just re-examining our language from a different perspective since I’m trying to learn another one.