We say boi is spelt with "an Y" or "a Y"?

Answer 1

You say "a Y". The rule about this is as follows:

When the following word begins with a vowel SOUND, use "an", otherwise use "a".

This means that words SPELLED with an initial vowel will take "an" if they are PRONOUNCED with an initial vowel SOUND. Examples: "euphoria" "ukelel" (which begin with the initial "y-" sound)

Since when you pronounce the letter "Y" you begin with the consonant sound "w-", use "a". Likewise with "U" (which, like ukelele, is pronounced with a consonantal "w-").

On the other side, words that begin with a SILENT consonant -- so that you use a vowel sound first -- take "an":
Examples: honor, heir

By the way, none of this has anything at all to do with the fact that "Y" may be used as a consonant (though more often --in the middle and at the end of syllables-- it is sounded as a vowel). It is all about how you pronounce the letter name. (Compare the pronunciation of "u" which ALWAYS marks a vowel sound.)

Answer 2

If the word you want to describe starts with a vowel then always use "an"
Example: an apple, an elephant, an igloo, an orange, an umbrella.

If the word you want to describe starts with a consonant then always use "a"
Example: a party, a house, a table, a computer, a smoke.

When it come to the letter "y" which is sometimes considered a vowel you would still use "a" because the letter Y is usually not considered a vowel.
Example: a yam, a yak, a yukky thing, etc.

Hope this helps some!

Answer 3

"a" y

The choice of "a" or "an" depends on the sound immediately after the article. In this case, the sound is a "w" sound, the first sound of the syllable that we say when we see the letter y. It's a consonant, so the article should be "a".

Answer 4

87% of english words are spelt phonically the other 13% are not phonic and are called iregular spelling... the letter y actually has four different sounds

e as in ready long i as in sky, yer as in yes and short i as pyramid


think of other words with similar form soil toil boil... they all have a very similar sound and form so to make it easier I guess it is irregular.

Answer 5

"A Y". The "w" sound at the beginning of "y" is a consonant in this case, and doesn't need the "an" required by "words" beginning with vowels.

Answer 6

"a y"

vowels can't be used right after using saying "a"

thats why they say sometimes y

Answer 7

In your example it would be "an I" though.

Answer 8

a Y