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A or an?

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irmamar
February 21, 2011, 01:21 AM
A utterance or an utterance?

Thanks. :)

Perikles
February 21, 2011, 03:30 AM
A utterance or an utterance?

Thanks. :)Depends how you pronounce the 'u' :lengua: :D

If correctly, always 'an' :)

By the way. Notice the double consonant 'tt' - this means the 'u' is short, as in (can't think of a word) ah yes - country.

Note the word uterus - only one 't' thus pronounced yooterus, so it would be 'a uterus'

poli
February 21, 2011, 06:06 AM
The general rule is: use an
in front of words that start with a vowel.
The exception to the rule is when a vowel is pronounced like a consonant
as in the word Perikles wrote uterus.
Some English speakers seem unaware of the word an, and they sound babyish when they say things a apple:thumbsdown:, a idea:thumbsdown: .

It should be notes that there are not many words where the vowel is pronounces like a consonant.

hermit
February 21, 2011, 09:45 AM
Right - it's a bit like in Spanish when you use "o" or "u", "y" or "e"
for euphony and ease of speaking...

Jessica
February 21, 2011, 10:35 AM
you also use an in front of hour because the h is silent

irmamar
February 21, 2011, 10:40 AM
Yes, I knew the rule, but I didn't pronounce well the word. Now I know it. Thanks everybody. :)