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Correct me if my ABC's are wrong?
Specifically the indefinite articles:
an "A"
a "B"
a C"
a "D"
an "E"
an "F" *!!!
a "G"
an "H" *!!!
an "I"
a "J"
a "K"
an "L" *!!!
an "M" *!!!
an "N" *!!!
an "O"
a "P"
a "Q"
an "R" *!!!
an "S" *!!!
a "T"
a "U" *!!!
a "V" *!!!
a "W"
an "X" *!!!
a "Y" *!!!
and a "Z"
*!!!-Indicated one I am not sure of...
13 Answers
- bruhahaLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
You are correct. And FourArrows is ALMOST correct about the reason.
What causes confusion is that the "rule" most people apply is based on a misunderstanding. The correct rule is NOT that you should use "an" before vowels; "a" before consonants". Rather, it is: Use "an" before a vowel-SOUND, "a" before a consonant-SOUND. In other words, the rule is NOT based on the SPELLING of the word, but on its PRONUNCIATION.
So, when using "a" or "an" before letter NAMES, you need to look at how they are pronounced.
For the letters of the alphabet, it might help you to write out a phonetic spelling of the letter-NAMES.
Here are the unusual ones --
Use "an" before the following consonant letter-name, which s begin with a vowel sound: f,h,k,l,m,n,r,s, x -- thus: eff, aitch, el, em, en, ar, ess, ex. (The most common instances of this with "regular words" is those with a silent H at the beginning -- "an honor" but "a holiday", though which H's are silent may depend on your dialect.)
Use "a" before the vowel letter-name "u", which is pronounced "yoo" (beginning with a consonant sound). This, by the way, is why you also say "a ukulele" and "a eulogy".
- FourArrowsLv 41 decade ago
All letters and articles are correct.
The article "AN" is used before vowels OR when a word SOUNDS like it begins with a vowel, as do some of the letter names. ( a good example of this is the word "honor" in which the "h" is silent. So, "it is AN honor to meet you")
Your list is perfect.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Perfecto
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- Coach McGuirkLv 61 decade ago
Every single one is perfect. They are all in order and with their correct article.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
sounds right. English...what a picky language to learn.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
great! you know more than me