How do you use the word "AN"?

Question

I say you use it before any word that sounds like a vowel. For instance, I would say, " I ate an M&M." Even though M is not a vowel. My boyfriend says you only use the word AN before a word starting with a vowel. Which is it?

Excellent point by whoever said you don't say A hour, you say AN hour. Excellent!

Answer 1

You are correct, m'dear! It's used in place of "a" in front of any word starting with a vowel *sound*.
So saying "I ate AN m&m" is correct. Your boyfriend is just one more on my grammar poo-poo list!

Answer 2

An is used when the sound of the word next to it is like a vowel. Like, M&M makes the vowel soundof 'e' at the beginning. So, u actually say emmanem, which is why 'an' goes in front of it. Same with 'hour'. u say an hour-- not a hour 'cause hour makes the sound of the vowel 'o'. get the drift?

Answer 3

It is used before a word that starts with a vowel or sounds like "an" should be there. It's based on the sound, not the spelling.

Answer 4

You are correct. The proper usage of the word an is before any word beginning with a vowel sound not just a vowel itself.

Answer 5

use the word AN before a word starting with a vowel or vowel-sounded.

Example: an M&M; an hour

Answer 6

Your "I ate an M&M" is one of those fun exceptions in popular usage, like "a pair of pants." Normally, the "an" is before words that begin with a vowel. Some soft consonants also qualify, like H and Y--but it has to be a soft sound for the H. We would say "an honorary degree" but in saying something like "pick a Herbert or Harry", that is different.

In your case, both are understandable, but you might get more laughs or raised eyebrows over "I ate a M&M", not because it isn't correct but because it doesn't SOUND correct.

Answer 7

"usage In speech and writing a is used before a consonant sound . Before a vowel sound an is usual "

www.webster.com

Answer 8

I agree with you that the word "an" sounds fitting in places where it should not be. Proper English dictates that the word "an" be used in front of a word with a vowel, such as "I ate an apple".

Answer 9

I was always told it was before a vowel.

can i have an apple
can i have a candy.

American English is lazy, so a lot of the rules have been kinda ignored unless your an English teacher. I think they're the only ones that actually pay attention to the silly rules. I don't think anyone would care if you said the "an m&m" thing, but technically it's only when used with a vowel.

Answer 10

If you were only using the letter "M" like that, then yes, the word 'an' is appropriate.

If you were using a word that just started with the letter "M" then 'a' would work correctly.