Guest  +  105076 Thu, 02 Jun 05 07:48 PM Working in the technology industry, I end up using a lot of acronyms. The old schoolhouse rules of "'a' before a constanant except specific exceptions" doesn't seem to sound right in some cases. For instance, "What is a XML?" vs. "What is an XML?". It seems that "What is a PSP?" is correct, but "What is a FPU?" seems awkward. Is there a diffinitive rule for these kinds of scenarios? Guest

	nona the brit  +  105195 Fri, 03 Jun 05 09:38 AM Yes it is a before a consonant or an before a vowel - but the rule is appled to a consonant sound or vowel sound. If you think about XML, even though it starts with a consonant, it actually starts with the sound of e( ex), a vowel, so use 'an. Again, looking at FPU, you can hear that it starts with 'ef', an e sound, so it uses an. You have been following the correct rule all along subconsciously. Your instincts are correct. nona the brit Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004 England Veteran Member 11,743 The name says it all. Vowels, Consonants

	Sangeethajai  +  159468 Thu, 17 Nov 05 06:13 AM nona's comment was superb. Even in india, there are many, who still do not know that a consonant's sound is taken as a vowel, when it comes to 'a' or 'an'. i think this is a global issue and knowing this will really help in avoiding mistakes. Sangeethajai Joined on Wed, Nov 16 2005 chennai New Member 07 Vowels, Consonants