on the use of "a" and "an"

[carol]

which is correct, "a UMS" or "an UMS"? I have found articles from either of them.

[insane_alien]

i think it is 'a UMS'. well, i've always used 'a' when something like that crops up. 'an' doesn't sound right in that context. then again, i did fail higher english.

[YT2095]

if UMS is a single word then it`s "an" ums, if a You Em Es then it`s an "A"

 

the basic rule of them is that if the following WORD, stats with a Vowel then it`s preceeded with "AN" if it`s a Consonant the "A" is correct.

[swansont]

However, there are exceptions; not all "u" words go with "an"

 

"a universal mating system" not "an universal mating system"

 

"a unified front" not "an unified front"

 

The first syllable is pronounced "you," so you use "a"

[Sayonara]

That's not an exception, it's what YT said

 

He just forgot about syllables.

[swansont]

That's not an exception, it's what YT said

 

He just forgot about syllables.

 

Then that's not what he said. It's what he didn't say.

[Sayonara]

To fight the YT, we must understand the YT.

 

We can ill afford another Klendathu!

[YT2095]

well as Flattering as it may be, Fellas... Please don`t Fight over little old Me *shucks* I love ya both equally!

[Dak]

if UMS is a single word then it`s "an" ums, if a You Em Es then it`s an "A"

 

also, if the word is going to be expanded when read, it's whatever the expansion would take.

 

eg, if it's 'urban middle school' and you're intending it to be pronounced as such, it'd be 'an UMS'.

 

what is UMS? i be intregued...

[bombus]

Lots of people still say 'an historic occassion'. Right or wrong?

[Dak]

some words can be pronounced with or without the 'h':

 

a hotel, a historic, a herb; an 'otel, an 'istoric, an 'erb.

 

so with those words, you can (afaik) write a or an: a historic or an historic.

 

but if you actually say " an historic ", then you are a moron

 

like people who pronounce 'h' as 'haitch' in order to sound posh.

[Sayonara]

Lots of people still say 'an historic occassion'. Right or wrong?

 

Right, wrong, who cares as long as you punch them?

[carol]

actually i am only faced with a similar problem. i am confused whether to use "to conduct a USG Mass Induction Program" or "to conduct an USG Mass Induction Program". USG there stands for University Student Government.

[Pre4edgc]

I think that then, either way, you have the "y" pronunciation for the "u". So "a" would be appropriate.

[Callipygous]

yeah, unless your planning on reading "usg" like a word, instead of saying the letters, its "a".

[carol]

why do some people still use "an" before words like universal or eulogy?

[Callipygous]

Because they're illiterate?

[carol]

Lol. yeah, I guess so:P