Originally posted by SJ247I got this from Dictionary.com although it does not address acronyms. "An" seems clunky to me and so sounds incorrect.
I've wondered this myself...is it an "an" or an "a" before an acronym? I usually see an "a", whereas I would use an "an", and it bugs me. I think an "a" is correct. Where's Nordlys?
If the word following begins with a vowel, the word you want is “an”: “Have an apple, Adam.” If the word following begins with a consonant, but begins with a vowel sound, you still need “an”: “An X-ray will show whether there's a worm in it.” It is nonstandard and often considered sloppy speech to utter an “uh” sound in such cases.
When the following word definitely begins with a consonant sound, you need “a”: “A snake told me apples enhance mental abilities.”
They also point out that "an historic" is improper although many use the "an" in this case. You and Catfood got made me wonder about this one :o}
Originally posted by Frank Burns"A RHP" definitely sounds incorrect to me, unless you pronounce "RHP" as "rhp" rather than "Are Aitch Pee".
I got this from Dictionary.com although it does not address acronyms. "An" seems clunky to me and so sounds incorrect.
If the word following begins with a vowel, the word you want is “an”: “Have an apple, Adam.” If the word following begins with a consonant, but begins with a vowel sound, you still need “an”: “An X-ray will show whether there's a w ...[text shortened]... gh many use the "an" in this case. You and Catfood got made me wonder about this one :o}