http://www.englishforums.com/English/InformationTechnologyEnglish/Forum32.htmEverything about English for IT.enXMOD (Build: 3615.29165)http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#906243Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:46:07 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:906243Anonymous0http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#906243http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-906243.xmlaccording to style guides, use the 'sound' of the first letter (F sounds like 'eff', hence use an, since it 'eff' begins with a vowel, where as P's sound does not)http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#824023Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:56:28 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:824023Anonymous1http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#824023http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-824023.xmlI knew that was right I just couldn't figure out why for the life of me. Then again it's not like I gave it much thought. Thank you!http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#775643Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:28:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:775643Anonymous2http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#775643http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-775643.xmlNo man its only 'taken for a vowel' when it starts with a vowel in pronunciation (when read abc-style). So 'p' is pronounced as 'pee' (consonant), 's' is 'ess' (vowel), 'k' is 'kay' and 't' is 'tee' (consonants). Just read the abbreviation as you would read it aloud.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#166428Sun, 24 May 2009 17:26:00 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:166428Louhy3http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#166428http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-166428.xmli agree with nona! very superb!http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#159468Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:26:00 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:159468Sangeethajai4http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#159468http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-159468.xmlnona'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.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#105195Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:26:00 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:105195nona the brit5http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htm#105195http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-105195.xmlYes 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.http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htmFri, 24 Apr 2009 17:26:00 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:105076Guest6http://www.englishforums.com/English/AcronymsAndTheUseOfAVsAn/bvgjq/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments32-105076.xmlWorking 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?