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suzi
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23147
Sun, 22 Feb 04 03:28 PM
orojoV - have you "got this" now?
the letter u is classsified as a vowel, obviously, but the use of an /a is dictated by the sound of the word, and not just how it looks onthe page.
In this case we would say A unique.
Joined on
Wed, Jan 7 2004
Full Member
465
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yo,
5 yr 234 days ago
Which one am I suppose to use?
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mirapence
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25981
Sat, 20 Mar 04 12:58 AM
Hi Yo,
A vowel sound is determined, as suzi rightly pointed out, not by its look, but by its sound.
Two of the most confusing semi/half consonents in Engish are those such as /ju:/ in "Europe and /w/ in "one". The looks of these are very misleading. Let me elaborate on them separately.
1. u
When the "u" sounds /ju:/ , without exception you will know it's a consonant. Other than this sound, all sounds derived from the "u" are vowels. You will find the differing sounds in examples given below.
1)"u" as consonants
university, use, unanimous, U.N., utensil, etc.
2)"u" as vowels
All other sounds such as "under", "urn", umpire and so on.
2. w
world, work, waste, etc.
It's easy to pick out the "w's" by their looks.
3. others variants
one
The pronunciation of "one" is preceded with /w/ sound. Despite its look, it is considered as a consonant.
eucalyptus
Regardless of the "e" in "eucalyptus", this word begins with a consnant sound, /ju:/.
4. acronyms
RBI (= runs batted in)
An "r" is a consonant, but it sounds /a:r/ in alphabets. Naurally, 'an RBI' is a correct way of putting an article.
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
As indicated above, an "f" also sounds as a vowel. So, 'an FBI agent' is the correct reading.
Before a vowel sound, use "an" as an article, and "a" in front of a consonant sound.
Mirapence
Joined on
Mon, Mar 8 2004
California, U.S.A
Junior Member
77
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Guest,
5 yr 197 days ago
Hi,
Just curious: What about 'SMS'? Is it 'a SMS' or 'an SMS'? I prefer using the latter since it is more fluent (which is the reason for mutations, right?).
Anyway, just a question regarding 'an': Is it just over here that primary school (or grade school) teachers seem to teach the pupils that 'an' should be used if the word begins with 'a e i o' or 'u'?
Ok, perhaps it is because primary school pupils are still too young to grasp the 'sound-like vowel, NOT look like vowel' concept, but it seems that this was never taught too in secondary school, and my classmates still have the mistaken notion that 'an' is used as long as a word begins with a vowel.
WJTW
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mehmetgenç
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28512
Sun, 25 Apr 04 12:40 PM
hi.I am mehmet, from turkey
I want to ask you a question about 'a,an'.
can we say 'a couple is' ?
is'it right or 'a couple are'
which one is true?
please hurry up!
Joined on
Sun, Apr 25 2004
New Member
01
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Guest,
5 yr 196 days ago
Yes, 'a couple is' is right, since a couple is used to refer to two people collectively. Similarly for 'my group IS' and 'the band IS'.
babu`,
4 yr 328 days ago
a boy get an apple
kemalerer,
4 yr 132 days ago
must be "a" I think??
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