Re: Use of A and An

Subject: Re: Use of A and An
From: "Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2003 13:41:59 -0500



From: "Anthony Davey" <ant -at- ant-davey -dot- com>


>
> John,
>
> The example you have given uses an adjective (albeit hyphenated, not a
> noun), so the rule doesn't apply.
>
> Ant
>
> John Fleming wrote:
>
> >Generally, use 'a' when the following word begins with a
> >consonant (a dog, a cat), Use 'an' when the following word
> >begins with a vowel (an irony).
> >
> >Now for some special cases.
> >
> >Use 'an' with 'u' and 'o' when the following word is pronounced
> >as if it started with a 'y' or a 'w' (a one-sided contest).
> >
> >


Why doesn't the rule apply? He said "the following word," not the following
"noun." The rule is for words, not nouns.

- An open door
- An evil man
- An unjust decision
- An inside job
- An odd boy

The rule exists only so that the language can be spokenl; that is, alternating
consonants and vowels.

Bonnie Granat
http://www.granatedit.com



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Follow-Ups:

References:
Use of A and An: From: Anand H G
Re: Use of A and An: From: John Fleming
Re: Use of A and An: From: Anthony Davey

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