By Indefinite articles, Vowels

If the word begins with a vowel - ie 'unsuspecting' then it is preceded by 'an', if it doesn't ie 'sympathetic', then it is preceded by 'a'.

A and an signal that the noun modified is indefinite, referring to any member of a group. These indefinite articles are used with singular nouns when the noun is general; the corresponding indefinite quantity word some is used for plural general nouns. The rule is: a + singular noun...

Just passing by, pardon me for sticking my nose in, but... We say 'a history' but 'an historical'. Some people do. I'm not sure when it became trendy but I wish people would cut it out. I find it painful to hear. "An historical whatever" or "an hallucination" is only correct if...

Hi, This topic was recently discussed in the the thread entitled Indefinite Article With Hispanic? Basically, if you pronounce the 'h', say 'a'. If you don't, say 'an'. I say 'a herb'. When you speak of the grammar rule of 'a' only coming before vowels, I hope you are not saying we should...

Hi, I am having a debate with co-workers regarding which indefinite article to use preceding Hispanic. We agree the article a precedes words beginning with a consonant, the article an precedes words beginning with vowels. We also know an precedes words beginning with a silent h, and words with...

I am having a debate with co-workers regarding which indefinite article to use preceding Hispanic. We agree the article a precedes words beginning with a consonant, the article an precedes words beginning with vowels. We also know an precedes words beginning with a silent h, and words with a...

Guest wrote:Use "a" if the next word begins with a consonant, and "an" if the next word begins with a vowel. A tiger, an angel, a book, etc. A historical character. This is not completely correct. The indefinite article a is used when the following word starts with a consonant sound The...

1) the is correct and yes it does refer to the icon of a specific programme (the little picture on the desktop to access a particular programme) 2) The sentence only makes sense with the use of the indefinite article an (icon)- used in front of a following vowel or mute 'h' 1) tells you...

Hi Lyn, Here is one of my posts from a previous thread on the topic of articles. It might help. Posted: 03-30-2005 12:26 PM The correct use of articles is acknowledged to be one of the most difficult points of English grammar, so don't be despondant Ali; mistakes don't usually matter too...

An excellent reply, Jazz. I hope you won't mind if I expand on it a little. The correct use of articles is acknowledged to be one of the most difficult points of English grammar, so don't be despondant Ali; mistakes don't usually matter too much, as you will still be understood. First, we don't...