Comments on: Using “a” and “an” Before Words http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:06:58 +0000 hourly 1 By: Damen Stephens http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-394440 Damen Stephens Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:33:01 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-394440 It seems long-winded and confusing to explain the rule in such a manner: "The rule states that “a” should be used before words that begin with consonants (e.g., b, c ,d) while “an” should be used before words that begin with vowels (e.g., a,e,i). Notice, however, that the usage is determined by the pronunciation and not by the spelling, as many people wrongly assume." Would it not be easier to state that: "'a' should be used before a consonant sound, whereas 'an' should be used before words which begin with a vowel sound". There is then no need to distinguish between pronunciation, spelling and people's incorrect assumptions. It seems long-winded and confusing to explain the rule in such a manner:

“The rule states that “a” should be used before words that begin with consonants (e.g., b, c ,d) while “an” should be used before words that begin with vowels (e.g., a,e,i). Notice, however, that the usage is determined by the pronunciation and not by the spelling, as many people wrongly assume.”

Would it not be easier to state that:

“‘a’ should be used before a consonant sound, whereas ‘an’ should be used before words which begin with a vowel sound”.

There is then no need to distinguish between pronunciation, spelling and people’s incorrect assumptions.

]]> By: Sharon http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-392629 Sharon Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:44:06 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-392629 Thank you so much for this post! My daughter is 8 and was struggling with a/an. I was having difficulty explaining it to her, and your blog here did just the trick! I too have seen many misuses of the words a and an. It drives me crazy to see because it just doesn't sound right. Hopefully more people will see this. Thank you so much for this post! My daughter is 8 and was struggling with a/an. I was having difficulty explaining it to her, and your blog here did just the trick! I too have seen many misuses of the words a and an. It drives me crazy to see because it just doesn’t sound right. Hopefully more people will see this.

]]> By: Peter http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-392490 Peter Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:12:01 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-392490 @Aimee: yes, change it to "an" @Aimee: yes, change it to “an”

]]> By: Aimee http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-391256 Aimee Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:26:04 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-391256 Doubt. Sometimes, we say statements like this, "Hey, don't you think Will Smith is doing a Sylvester Stallone here?" If we use a name starting with a vowel, will the 'a' change to 'an'? For example: Will it be correct like this? "Hey, don't you think Will Smith is doing a Arka Saha here?" Or will it change to 'an'?? Genuine doubt. Doubt.

Sometimes, we say statements like this,
“Hey, don’t you think Will Smith is doing a Sylvester Stallone here?”

If we use a name starting with a vowel, will the ‘a’ change to ‘an’?

For example: Will it be correct like this?

“Hey, don’t you think Will Smith is doing a Arka Saha here?” Or will it change to ‘an’??

Genuine doubt.

]]> By: Talal http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-391176 Talal Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:44:56 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-391176 Thanks for clarifing this in the best possible way. Keep up the good work. Thanks for clarifing this in the best possible way. Keep up the good work.

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