How to use an before a word

When to use a or an before a word?

The rule is: Use an before a word beginning with a vowel sound (not letter). It doesn’t matter how the word is spelled. It just matters how it is pronounced. Use a before a word with a consonant sound as well as y and w sounds.

Where do we use an?

Note that we use a in front of words that start with a consonant sound (a horse, a carrot) and an in front of words with a vowel sound (an apple, an elephant). We often use a when we mention something for the first time, and then change to the when it is clear which thing we are talking about: He was talking to a man.

Is it an hour or a hour?

You should say, ‘an hour’ (because hour begins with a vowel sound) and ‘a history’ (because history begins with a consonant sound). You should say ‘a union’ even if union begins with a ‘u’. This is because the pronunciation begins with ‘yu’, a consonant sound.

Does and/or mean both?

In summary, avoid and/or and simply use or, they mean the same thing. Context will suggest the correct interpretation of or without the need to be explicit. And if context is misleading and you must be explicit, say “A or B, or both”. And/or is generally used when either one or both of the options may be true.

Is using and informal?

In informal settings, it’s okay. In formal settings, spell out ‘and’. Also, using ‘&’ as a conjunction is wrong.

What does and/or mean legally?

And/or, however, is not ambiguous at all. It has a definite, agreed-upon meaning: when used properly, the construct means “A or B or both.” In most areas of law, there simply is no compelling reason to avoid using and/or. The term is clear and concise.

What is the AS IS clause?

An “as is” clause will protect a seller from the duty to disclose property defects if: the seller is unaware of the defects; the seller knows of the defect but remains silent, and the defect is one that is readily discoverable by the buyer through reasonable investigation.

What does a slash mean in legal terms?

In my view, the slash introduces a choice, optionality. If we write he/she it is fairly obvious that the person aimed at could be a man or a woman, or, if you happen to have it in mind, both. Like in he/she, the slash should be read to mean or: he or she or, in this case, and or or.

What is another name for contract?

What is another word for contract?

deal agreement
settlement covenant
understanding arrangement
bargain commitment
compact pact

What is the word for a signed contract?

A signatory is someone who signs a document and is subject to it. A signatory is someone who signs a contract, therefore creating a legal obligation. There could be several signatories for a specific contract. Over time, this word has often been used for a person or country who signs a peace treaty.

What is a better word than got?

Got Synonyms – WordHippo Thesaurus….What is another word for got?

found achieved
procured snapped up
took possession of got into one’s hands
got one’s mitts on got one’s fingers on
laid one’s hands on took

What is another name of contract costing?

terminal costing

What is contract costing in simple words?

(b) Contract costing is a form of specific order costing which applies where work is undertaken to customer’s special requirements and each order is of a long duration. Period of Contract. (a) Contract costing is a specialized system of Job costing applies to long-term contracts. as distinct from short-term jobs.

Which is the basic method of contract costing?

Contract costing is the method of costing which is applied in a business where separate contracts of non-repetitive nature are undertaken. According to Sharie, “Contract or terminal cost accounts are applicable to a concern which makes specific contracts and requires to know the cost of each.”

How do you calculate contract cost?

Contract Costing Formula

  1. When the work certified is less than ¼ of the contract price: No profits to profit and loss account.
  2. When the work certified is ¼ but less than ½ of the contract price :
  3. When the work certified is ½ or more of the contract price :

What is the formula of contract?

Agreement = Offer + Acceptance.

What is contract cost example?

Contract costing is the tracking of costs associated with a specific contract with a customer. For example, a company bids for a large construction project with a prospective customer, and the two parties agree in a contract for a certain type of reimbursement to the company.

How do you calculate uncertified work?

Work Uncertified is calculated on cost basis, As given in the question that 2/3 of contract was completed and 1/2 half was certifed by the architect, means 2/3-1/2 = 1/6 remains uncertified.

What do u mean by work uncertified?

Work Uncertified is the cost of that part of the contract work which is being completed by the contractor but not certified by the architect because of the faulty work or the work not according to the specifications. In respect of such work there will be no payment from the contractee.

What do you mean by Process account?

Process costing is an accounting methodology that traces and accumulates direct costs, and allocates indirect costs of a manufacturing process. Costs are assigned to products, usually in a large batch, which might include an entire month’s production. Costs are averaged over the units produced during the period”.

What is work Certified how it is valued?

Work certified is valued at contract price (i.e , selling price), and includes an element of profit. Work Uncertified. This is that part of the work-in-progress which is not approved by the architect or engineer. This is valued at cost and thus does not include an element of profit.

What is the basic concept of cost concept?

The cost concept demands all assets to be recorded in the books of accounts of the prices at which they were bought. This involves the cost incurred for transportation, installation, and acquisition.

What is cost standard?

Definition: A standard cost is an estimated expense that normally occurs during the production of a product or performance of a service. In other words, this is theoretically the amount of money a company will have to spend to produce a product or perform a service under normal conditions.

How do you calculate stage of completion?

The Percentage of completion formula is very simple. First, take an estimated percentage of how close the project is to being completed by taking the cost to date for the project over the total estimated cost. Then multiply the percentage calculated by the total project revenue to compute revenue for the period.

Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. Other letters can also be pronounced either way. Just remember it is the sound that governs whether you use “a” or “an,” not the actual first letter of the word.

Contents

  • 1 What is the rule for using the word an?
  • 2 When to use one or a an?
  • 3 How do you use an in a sentence?
  • 4 Is it a or an before H?
  • 5 When should I use the?
  • 6 Is it an ear or a ear?
  • 7 Is it a or an before honest?
  • 8 What are the 6 vowels?
  • 9 Is it in or on January?
  • 10 What is an example of a preposition?
  • 11 Which is correct a apple or an apple?
  • 12 Is it an eye or a eye?
  • 13 Is an ant correct?
  • 14 Is it in an hour or a hour?
  • 15 Which is correct a unicorn or an unicorn?
  • 16 Is it a horse or an horse?
  • 17 Is it A or an eulogy?
  • 18 What word has only vowels?
  • 19 Is the letter a vowel?
  • 20 Which word has all 5 vowels?

What is the rule for using the word an?

The two indefinite articles in English are a and an. The indefinite article an is used to make pronunciation easier when reading a text aloud. The general rule is to use a when the indefinite article precedes a word beginning with a consonant sound and an when it precedes a word starting with a vowel sound.

When to use one or a an?

Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound.
Definite and Indefinite Articles (a, an, the)

COUNT NOUNS NON-COUNT NOUNS
Rule #1 Specific identity not known a, an (no article)
Rule #2 Specific identity known the the

How do you use an in a sentence?

The real rule is that you have to use “an” in a sentence when a word has a vowel sound at the beginning. For words with vowels at the beginning that sound like consonants, such as the “u” in unicorn, use “a” instead.

Is it a or an before H?

For the letter “H”, the pronunciation dictates the indefinite article: Use “a” before words where you pronounce the letter “H” such as “a hat,” “a house” or “a happy cat.” Use “an” before words where you don’t pronounce the letter “H” such as “an herb,” “an hour,” or “an honorable man.”

When should I use the?

Use “the” with any noun when the meaning is specific; for example, when the noun names the only one (or one) of a kind. Adam was the first man (the only ‘first man’). New York is the largest city in the United States (only one city can be ‘the largest’). We live on the earth (the only Earth we know).

Is it an ear or a ear?

“An ear” is correct because the indefinite article “a” always becomes “an” when preceding a vowel sound.

Is it a or an before honest?

The words that start with a vowel sound, like ‘honest’ or ‘honorable’, should have ‘an’ before them. Examples: an hour late, an honest person, an heir to the throne, an honorable idea. Even though these words begin with ‘h’, a consonant, when you pronounce them, the ‘h’ is silent.

What are the 6 vowels?

The sounds of American English are written with letters in the English alphabet, as either vowels or consonants. All English words are written with vowel letters in them. These letters are vowels in English: A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y and W.

Is it in or on January?

You should say “in January”. However, if it’s even more specific where you have the actual date, it should be “on 20th January 2020”. “At” is used for specific points in time.

What is an example of a preposition?

A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like “in,” “at,” “on,” “of,” and “to.” Prepositions in English are highly idiomatic.

Which is correct a apple or an apple?

When the word begins with a consonant you should use ‘a‘.With words such as ‘umbrella’, ‘ice cream’ and ‘apple’ you have to use “an umbrella”, “an ice cream” and “an apple”.

Is it an eye or a eye?

If you’re wondering whether you should use an eye or a eye, the correct answer is: an eye. Eye starts with the vowel “e” and is also pronounced like the vowel “i”. Since “eye’ begins with a vowel sound, we use the article “an” before it.

Is an ant correct?

An ant is correct one. Because we always use ‘an’ when next word have vowel (a, e, i ,o, u) as a first letter. An ant is correct. ‘An’ is used before words beginning either with a vowel or a vowel sound.

Is it in an hour or a hour?

An hour is the correct one. It is because in the word hour the letter h is not pronounced, therefore when hour is pronounced the first letter sounds like a vowel sound. The general rule is: a) when the first letter of a word is a consonant or sounds like consonant the indefinite article a lies in front of the word.

Which is correct a unicorn or an unicorn?

The English use ‘a’ when the word begins with a consonant SOUND; the Americans use ‘a’ when a word begins with a consonant LETTER. ‘unicorn’ begins with a ‘you’ sound, which is a consonant SOUND, so the English say, ‘a unicorn.

Is it a horse or an horse?

“A horse” is correct. The article is always used before a noun but according to pronunciation, Article “A” is used for consonant pronunciation and Article “An” is used for vowel pronunciation.

Is it A or an eulogy?

The word “eulogy” starts with a “y~” sound (like “European” or “year”), and so it’s treated the same way: “a eulogy”. You can pretty much always figure out the answer to these questions just by speaking it out loud.

What word has only vowels?

Words (found in major English dictionaries) consisting entirely of vowels include AA (a type of lava), AE, AI, AIEEE, IAO, OII, EAU, EUOUAE, OE, OO, I, O, A, IO, and UOIAUAI, the last of these being the longest vowel-only word (seven letters).

Is the letter a vowel?

The letters A, E, I, O, and U are called vowels. The other letters in the alphabet are called consonants.

Which word has all 5 vowels?

Eunoia
Eunoia, at six letters long, is the shortest word in the English language that contains all five main vowels. Seven letter words with this property include adoulie, douleia, eucosia, eulogia, eunomia, eutopia, miaoued, moineau, sequoia, and suoidea. (The scientific name iouea is a genus of Cretaceous fossil sponges.)

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Summary

Use a or an before an acronym or other abbreviation depending on how it is pronounced, not how it is written. If it starts with a consonant sound when read aloud, use “a” (a NATO member, a US senator, a PDF, a CEO). If it starts with a vowel sound, use “an” (an OPEC report, an ATM, an NFT, an MBA program, an FBI agent, an HTML file).

The general rule

Use the article a before an acronym or abbreviation that begins with a consonant sound, and an before one that begins with a vowel sound. The use of a or an depends on how the abbreviation is pronounced or read aloud, not on whether the first letter is a vowel or a consonant when written down.

Examples

  • a NATO member but an NBA player, an NFL match

    Even though both abbreviations begin with “N,” the acronym NATO (pronounced “

    N

    AY-toh”) begins with a consonant sound, while NBA (pronounced “

    e

    n-bee-AY”) begins with a vowel sound.

  • a NICU doctor but an NFT, an NGO
  • a SARS vaccine but an SOS
  • a FICA contribution but an FBI agent
  • a HEPA filter but an HTML page
  • a LAN password but an LED screen
  • a MoMA curator but an MBA graduate, an MNC
  • an ATM but a UFO, a UNIX command
  • an EU mandate but a US company, a UK resident
  • an OPEC report but a UN resolution
  • a DOS file but a DNR
  • an EST clock but a UTC or a GMT clock

Tip

Read the abbreviation aloud. An abbreviation may begin with a consonant letter in writing but be pronounced starting with a vowel sound (NFT, SEO, LED), or begin with a vowel but be read aloud starting with a consonant sound (UK, US, EULA). Note how in the following example, a is used before the abbreviation, even though an is used with the full form.

Example

  • an unidentified flying object

    but

    a UFO

    pronounced “a

    Y

    OO-ef-OH” (/ˌjuːɛfˈəʊ/)

Depending on how an abbreviation is read aloud, it may be either an initialism or an acronym.

With initialisms

Use the indefinite article an before an initialism that begins with a vowel sound, even if the first letter is a consonant when written down. (An initialism is an abbreviation of which the individual letters are pronounced separately.)

Examples

  • an HR manager
  • an SEO expert
  • an XML file
  • an MVP award
  • an NDA
  • an NFT
  • an NBA player
  • an RDF

But if the initialism begins with a consonant sound (and is pronounced as such), it takes a instead of an as usual.

Examples

  • a PTA meeting
  • a BLM protest
  • a CEO
  • a DIY project
  • a DNA study
  • a TBT photo
  • a KRA
  • a YMCA hostel
  • a PDF editor

If the initialism begins with a vowel (like “U”) but starts with a consonant sound when read aloud, use a instead of an.

Examples

  • a UFO
  • a URL
  • a USB drive
  • a US city
  • a UK delegation
  • a UN representative
  • a UPS delivery

And if the initialism both begins with a vowel and starts with a vowel sound when pronounced, use an as usual.

Examples

  • an ATM
  • an EMS worker
  • an IRS notice
  • an OTC medication

With acronyms

With acronyms, which are abbreviations pronounced as words, make sure to follow the rule of using a or an depending on whether the acronym starts with a consonant or a vowel sound. The first letter of an acronym may be a vowel, but if it is pronounced with a consonant sound, use a instead of an.

Examples

  • a EULA (“YOO-luh”)
  • a EUCOM committee
  • a UEFA game
  • a UNICEF program
  • a UNESCO initiative

But if an acronym begins with a vowel sound, use an.

Examples

  • an OPEC report
  • an ASCII value
  • an ECHO employee
  • an ISDA agreement
  • an ULTRA official

If an acronym begins with a consonant sound, use a instead of an as usual.

Examples

  • a NATO decision
  • a BAFTA award
  • a COVID patient
  • a FICA contribution
  • a LAN router
  • a NAFTA committee
  • a PETA supporter
  • a radar operator
  • a SARS vaccine
  • a XERT experiment

Tip

The article the is omitted with acronyms of proper nouns, even if it would be used with the full form.

Example

  • The NATO has stated that it is a defensive alliance, which can provide support but cannot intervene.

Examples from published content

Here are some examples from published content that illustrate how a or an is used before an acronym or other abbreviation based on how it is pronounced.

Examples

  • An NFT, or a nonfungible token, is a digital file created using blockchain computer code.

    — “Teens cash in on the NFT art boom,” New York Times (Aug. 14, 2021)

  • A NATO post would give him additional command experience in an important but less politically contentious region.

    — “Pentagon weighs top Iraq general as NATO chief,” New York Times (Jan. 21, 2008)

  • The International Aids Society said Mr Brown gave the world hope that an HIV cure was possible.

    — “First person cured of HIV, Timothy Ray Brown, dies,” BBC News (Sep. 30, 2020)

  • Venus shining bright and low has been reported many times as a UFO.

    — “Identifying UFOs,” NASA website (Accessed Feb. 8, 2021)

  • The DMD projection system consists of an LED light source with a collimating lens.

    — “Tomographic near-eye displays,” Nature (June 7, 2019)

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Raphael asks: When should I use “a” and when should I use “an” before the different words? For example, should I say “a hour” or “an hour?” I stumble over this everytime and dont’t know if I’m getting it right, as I’m not speaking and writing English natively.

The Rule

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.

You should say, therefore, “an hour” (because hour begins with a vowel sound) and “a history” (because history begins with a consonant sound).

Similarly you should say “a union” even if union begins with a “u.” That is because the pronunciation begins with “yu”, which is a consonant sound.

Abbreviations

Deciding which version you should use with abbreviations is the tricky part. First of all you need to understand if the abbreviation is pronounced as a single word or letter by letter.

While we say “a light-water reactor,” the abbreviation is “an LWR.”

Similarly, you should use “an NBC reporter” (because “NBC” is pronounced “enbisi”) and “a NATO authority” (because “NATO” begins with a “ne” sound).

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It can be a little confusing to figure out where the indefinite articles «A» and «An» are used. Here is the proper way to use them.

Note to Reader: A and An rules may differ in different countries. These rules are based in America and may or may not apply elsewhere.

  1. Image titled Use "A" and "An" Correctly Step 1

    1

    Use «A» before all words that begin with consonant sounds. In English, nearly all words that begin with consonants will be preceded by the article «A.»[1]

    • For example: a pet, a door, a green onion, a cat, a hysterical joke.
  2. Image titled Use "A" and "An" Correctly Step 2

    2

    Understand that there are some exceptions to this rule. Some words may be spelled beginning with vowels but be pronounced with initial consonant sounds. Words that begin in h, y, u, and eu or «e» are common words that can cause confusion.[2]

    • Use «A» when u makes the same sound as the y in you: a union, a unicorn, a used napkin, a usability study.
    • Use «A» when o makes the same sound as w in won: a one-legged man.
    • Use «A» when eu or «e» makes the same sound as y: a European trip, a ewe lamb
    • Do not use «A» when the h is silent.

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  3. Image titled Use "A" and "An" Correctly Step 3

    3

    Read words aloud if you’re unsure. Sometimes, the way the word looks on the page is not enough to tell you which article to use. Read the word aloud in the way it sounds appropriate to you, and then base your article use on that.

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  1. Image titled Use "A" and "An" Correctly Step 4

    1

    Use «An» before all words that begin with vowel sounds. In English, nearly all words that begin with vowels will be preceded by the article «An.»[3]

    • For example: an apple, an elbow, an Indian.
  2. Image titled Use "A" and "An" Correctly Step 5

    2

    Understand that there are also some exceptions to this rule. Some words may be spelled beginning with consonants but be pronounced with initial vowel sounds. Words that begin in h are the most common causes of confusion, but there are some other letters that can pose a challenge, too.[4]

    • Use «An» before a silent h: an hour, an honorable peace, an honest error.
    • Use «An» before words that are spelled with consonants but pronounced with vowel sounds: an MBA.
  3. Image titled Use "A" and "An" Correctly Step 6

    3

    Understand that pronunciation may vary depending on geographical location. For example, British and American pronunciation of certain words varies dramatically, particularly words beginning in h such as «herb.» In American pronunciation, the h is silent, so correct usage would be «an herb.» But in British pronunciation, the h is pronounced, so correct usage would be a herb.

  4. Image titled Make Your Own Book Step 4

    4

    Understand that the word «historic» is a special case. There is substantial debate over whether the correct usage is «a historic event» or «an historic event.» Nearly all style handbooks and usage guides prefer «a historic event,» citing the consonant sound explanation given in this article. However, you may see «an historic» crop up from time to time, particularly amongst British writers.[5]

    • Some American writers will also use «an» with longish words (three or more syllables) beginning with H, where the first syllable isn’t accented: «a hypothesis,» «an habitual offender.»
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«A» vs. «An» Usage Chart

Add New Question

  • Question

    Do I use «a» or «an» before MS?

    Community Answer

    Use «an» before MS. For example, «An MS patient may have a shorter lifespan than someone without the disease.»

  • Question

    How do I know if I should use a or an when in front of a number?

    Community Answer

    When you say something like «a five-gallon bucket» or «an eleven-piece band», you follow the same rules as outlined in the article.

  • Question

    Is it correct to say: You are an elegant beauty?

    Community Answer

    Yes, that is correct.

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  • It’s interesting to note that these rules for «a» and «an» also apply to the word «the». Although «the» is always spelled the same way, the «e» in it can be pronounced as in «umbrella» or as in «me». Normally (when you’d use «a»), pronounce it as «umbrella». But when you’d use «an», you should pronounce it as «thee» (like «me»).

  • «A» and «An» are indefinite articles, meaning they don’t refer to a particular or special word. If you need something to get you to work, but any old car will do, you would say «I need a car.» If you need a very specific car, such as one you share with your roommate, you would say «I need the car.»

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Article SummaryX

To correctly use “A” and “An,” use “A” before words that begin with consonant sounds and “An” before words that begin with vowel sounds. For example, say «a pet» or «a green onion,» since these word begin with consonants. For words that begin with vowels, use «An,» instead, as in «an apple» or «an elbow.» However, there are exceptions, including that you also use “A” with words that start with vowels but are pronounced like consonants, and “An” with words that start with consonants but are pronounced like vowels. To learn more from our English Language expert about exceptions to the rule of using “A” and “An,” read on!

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