2006-09-16 00:53:41 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
because the letter M is pronounced EM so it is a vowel sound in the beginning of MBA
2006-09-16 00:56:00 · answer #1 · answered by nurseme0w 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you have an MBA and received a very good education, then you want to use the correct grammar. The rules say put an an before a word that starts with a vowel sound.
Still, which article, a or an, to use before a word, acronym or initials can be confusing. When in doubt, trust your ear.
As a general rule:
An is used when the next word begins with a vowel such as an apple.
A is used when the next word begins with a vowel such as a book.
But, we use an before a vowel sound, even if it is written with a consonant.
e.g. An hour, an honor.
We use A before a consonant sound, even if it is written with a vowel.
e.g. A university, a one-dollar bill.
With acronyms or initials, go with the sound. For example, NATO (pronounced nay-toe for North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and NDSU (pronounced N-D-S-U for North Dakota State University). Thus it's "The United States is a NATO country " or "She is an NDSU student."
2006-09-16 01:43:18 · answer #2 · answered by callahan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are partially correct in stating "M" is not a vowel. It is not what might be termed a "literal" or "actual" vowel, but it is a phonetic vowel in the sense that when you pronounce the letter "M", you say "em", and that "e" means you use "an" when you say "MBA". When you write "MBA" though, you use "a".
2006-09-16 04:07:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because when you say "M" you actually say "EM" which sounds like a vowel......thus, an MBA. I would not really worry about the reason, sweetie......just speak proper English and no one will know that you did not know this!
2006-09-16 00:58:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The choice of article depends on the following sound, not the following letter. The syllable that we say when talking about the letter "M" starts with a vowel.
2006-09-18 18:36:17 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you say "An" MBA, you sound grammatically correct even though I see your point that M is not a vowel.
But try it : say "A" MBA.
You sound like a ding-bat!
2006-09-16 00:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by Mary* 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
M is pronounced "em" - phonetically it sounds like a vowel. Same reason we say give me an hour where the "h" is silent and therefore sounds like our....
2006-09-16 00:57:57 · answer #7 · answered by Old Man Mozz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It flows better
2006-09-16 01:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by N3WJL 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋