No Vowvels but using "AN" with it why ??? ...

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Anonymous

#463799 Mon, 14 Jan 08 12:35 AM

In English language we have "Vowels" A,E,I,O,U and we use "AN" with them . I heard people saying "An Hour" etc.. which makes no sense . Can you guys explain what is the deal here...

Anonymous

Vowels

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Grammar Geek

#463800 Mon, 14 Jan 08 12:40 AM

It's not whether it's a vowel, but whether it's a vowel sound.

An umbrella, a university.

An hour, a horse.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (16,081)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Vowels, Universities

Philip

#464133 Mon, 14 Jan 08 04:17 PM

"Historical fact": some pronounce the 'h' in this word, needing 'a'. If the 'h' is not pronounced, one needs 'an'.

Philip

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)

Veteran Member (6,320)

At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

Madame_butterfly

#464152 Mon, 14 Jan 08 05:04 PM

it entirely depends on the pronunciation of the word, if the pronunciation begins with a vowel then u should use "an". Smile [:)]

Madame_butterfly

Joined on Mon, Jan 14 2008

New Member (03)

Vowels, Pronunciation

Grammar Geek

#464160 Mon, 14 Jan 08 05:54 PM

Hi Madame Butterfly - what a lovely nick, and welcome to the forums.

Just to clarify, the vowel itself doesn't determine the use of "a" or "an."

Some u-words start with a Y sound, like "univeristy," and therefore take the article "a," not "an."

Grammar Geek

Articles, Vowels

Madame_butterfly

#464162 Mon, 14 Jan 08 06:03 PM

Thank you Grammar Geek for your compliment, I am glad to be here with you sharing and learning. In fact I have also meant what you said. Smile [:)]

If the pronunciation starts with a consonant sound then it takes "a", as in "university". Besides, as in "hour", the pronunciation starts with a vowel, and it takes "an". I think we agree on the same idea. Smile [:)]

I hope I could make myself clear enough Smile [:)]