Comments on: Using “a” and “an” Before Words http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:28:05 -0500 hourly 1 By: Stefano http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-218504 Stefano Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:52:35 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-218504 To whoever posted this article. Great post, it really clarified the rule for me. However, I am still unsure about one aspect of the rule which is, would I say, "a U.K. poitician" or "an U.K. politician"? At present, I feel more comfortable saying "a U.K. politician". I'm thinking that "a U.K. politician" is correct as the "U.K." is a stressed "YU-kay" first syllable. Also, would I say, "a European country" or "an European country"? Again, in this case I'm more comfortable saying "a European country". In this case, the first syllable ("yu-ro-pean") is not necessarily stressed, hence I am unsure if it should be "a" like I am used to, or if I should be using "an" instead. Therefore, my question is, what is the correct version and what's the reason/rule for it? Thanks. To whoever posted this article.
Great post, it really clarified the rule for me. However, I am still unsure about one aspect of the rule which is, would I say, “a U.K. poitician” or “an U.K. politician”? At present, I feel more comfortable saying “a U.K. politician”. I’m thinking that “a U.K. politician” is correct as the “U.K.” is a stressed “YU-kay” first syllable.

Also, would I say, “a European country” or “an European country”? Again, in this case I’m more comfortable saying “a European country”. In this case, the first syllable (”yu-ro-pean”) is not necessarily stressed, hence I am unsure if it should be “a” like I am used to, or if I should be using “an” instead.

Therefore, my question is, what is the correct version and what’s the reason/rule for it?

Thanks.

]]> By: James Kennedy http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-177832 James Kennedy Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:14:11 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-177832 This is all very good stuff. All students of English should know this site's URL and refer to it when in doubt. Teachers in particular should just give the URL out to their students, thereby avoiding some long explanations in class. My grandfather, Arthur Kennedy, was head of the English Department at Stanford University for many years. His specialty was English Philology - the history of the English Language. He was known as one of the top two or three philologists in the world at his death. I know he would have been pleased to have seen a site such as this one Keep up the good work. James Kennedy This is all very good stuff.

All students of English should know this site’s URL and refer to it when in doubt. Teachers in particular should just give the URL out to their students, thereby avoiding some long explanations in class.

My grandfather, Arthur Kennedy, was head of the English Department at Stanford University for many years. His specialty was English Philology – the history of the English Language. He was known as one of the top two or three philologists in the world at his death. I know he would have been pleased to have seen a site such as this one

Keep up the good work.

James Kennedy

]]> By: chenna kesav http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-2/#comment-125554 chenna kesav Sat, 06 Jun 2009 06:06:36 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-125554 I want to know about the examples,those are sentences those are starting with a with vowel I want to know about the examples,those are sentences those are starting with a with vowel

]]> By: dennise evans http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-1/#comment-120999 dennise evans Tue, 19 May 2009 12:43:36 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-120999 nice explanation..now i understand.. nice explanation..now i understand..

]]> By: nick http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/comment-page-1/#comment-98262 nick Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:06:30 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/using-a-and-an-before-words/#comment-98262 thanks - I thought maybe the rule had changed since I was in school because I see the opposite usage of a and an so many times in newspapers - did newspaper style change or do they just get it wrong very often? thanks – I thought maybe the rule had changed since I was in school because I see the opposite usage of a and an so many times in newspapers – did newspaper style change or do they just get it wrong very often?

]]>