"A" or "An"?

   / "A" or "An"? #1  

Jstpssng

Epic Contributor
Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
29,515
Location
Maine
Tractor
Kubota L3301
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. :D
 
   / "A" or "An"?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
"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.
 
   / "A" or "An"? #5  
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. :D
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.

 
   / "A" or "An"? #6  
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.
 
   / "A" or "An"? #7  
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
 
   / "A" or "An"? #8  
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
 
   / "A" or "An"? #9  
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.
 
   / "A" or "An"? #10  
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.

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

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2016 Chevrolet Impala Limited Sedan (A55853)
2016 Chevrolet...
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 2LT Sedan (A54815)
2011 Chevrolet...
2012 Big Tex 14ET-20BK 20ft T/A Flatbed Trailer (A55851)
2012 Big Tex...
2005 INTERNATIONAL 9900I DAYCAB (A55745)
2005 INTERNATIONAL...
2005 Toyota Tundra Limited Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A55852)
2005 Toyota Tundra...
2005 CATERPILLAR 740 - 6X6 OFF ROAD WATER TRUCK (A52706)
2005 CATERPILLAR...
 
Top