Download
1 / 6
60 likes | 180 Vues
Understanding when to use "a" and "an" can enhance your writing clarity. These articles depend on the initial sound of the following word, not necessarily the first letter. Use "a" before words with a consonant sound (e.g., "a federal agent"), and "an" before words starting with a vowel sound (e.g., "an FBI agent"). Some words like “university” begin with a consonant sound despite starting with a vowel letter. This mini-lesson offers practice examples and clarifies the distinctions to help you master article usage in English writing. ###
E N D
Writing Lab Diction: Aand An
“A” and “An” are often misused. • Usage depends on sound. Use a before words or letters with an initial consonant sound. • a federal agent • a historical occasion • Use an before words or letters with an initial vowel sound. • an FBI agent • an honorary doctorate degree
Examples Both the words “university” and “umpire” begin with the vowel “u.” But when we pronounce the words, they have different initial sounds. “University” begins with the consonant sound “yu,” while “umpire” begins with the vowel sound “uh.” Therefore we say “a university” and “an umpire.”
Practice • a/ an historian • a/ an official document • a/ an honors class • a/ an unusual occurrence • a/ an usual occurrence • a/an MBA degree • a/an one-million dollar lottery winner
Answers • a historian • an official document • an honors class • an unusual occurrence • a usual occurrence • an MBA degree • a one-million dollar lottery winner
That’s all, folks! • This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series • Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon • To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson
