Say you got an f.
then say you got a f.
aren't you supposed to not have the n? but it sounds weird when you don't. I don't get it.
2006-06-20 13:27:23 · 11 answers · asked by me 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The rule is hard and fast. However, it is often misunderstood. The rule is this:
Where the word starts with a vowel SOUND, it is preceded by 'an'.
Where the word starts with a consonant SOUND, it is preceded by 'a'.
Of course, a vowel letter is not the same as a vowel sound.
The word is pronounced 'eff' (it therefore begins with a vowel sound and should be preceded by 'an' - 'an eff'.)
On the other hand, 'university', although starting with a vowel letter, is pronounced 'yooniversity' and so starts with a consonant sound. So, 'a university'.
The reason some people tell you that 'an historic place' or 'an hotel' is correct is from the days when polite (i.e. upper class!) English people pronounced 'historic' as 'istoric' or as 'otel' - therefore the rule still applied.
This is a phonological universal in English - and I know of no exceptions.
2006-06-20 21:40:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
this is because when you say the letter "f", you actually say the "word" "eff". The most accurate formulation of the a/an rule is: if the following phoneme is a consonant, use "a", if the following phoneme is a vowel, use "an". Note that the discrimination of which to use hinges on the unit of sound (phoneme) which follows the indefinite article, rather than the actual character (letter).
2006-06-21 05:14:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"An" is used in front of words that begin with a vowel. Sometimes it sounds better when grammatically it's incorrect. Just one of the exceptions to the rule.
2006-06-20 13:29:52 · answer #3 · answered by ttujes711 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The general rule that "an" should only be used in front of a vowel does not always apply. For example, the correct grammar would be "an hour." On the other hand, it should be "a ubiquitous" (______).
2006-06-20 13:36:24 · answer #4 · answered by MayLaw79 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the correct version
'Say you got a 'f'. Then say you got a 'f'. Aren't you not supposed to have the 'n'? But it sounds weired when you don't.'
Hope you get it now.
2006-06-20 13:34:44 · answer #5 · answered by TJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would be proper to say 'an f' b/c the letter 'f' has the 'eh' sound of the vowel 'e' in front when pronouncing it...so spelled out it's like ' i got an ef'....get it?
2006-06-20 13:31:02 · answer #6 · answered by A Light to Burn All the Empires♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has to do with sound. You say "ef," not "ffff." So "an ef" is correct. F is one of the letters that has an actual spelling besides just itself.
2006-06-20 13:38:57 · answer #7 · answered by Quiet Amusement 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Grammer" is properly spelled Grammar. Buy a dictionary.
2006-06-20 13:31:10 · answer #8 · answered by eggman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you only put an in back of a word that begins with a vowel.
2006-06-20 13:31:08 · answer #9 · answered by korea5083 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the correct way is "a" f ... but yeah, it sounds weird, but it's grammatically correct.
2006-06-20 13:31:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋