how come... [[language and tense]]?

Question

how come if my sentence were to say
"Cultural language is a universal understaning."
why would it say "a" and not "an" when "universal" starts with a vowel?
because
"Cultural language is an universal understanding."
just doesn't make sense...

Answer 1

you use 'a' when the sound that follows creates a consonant sound

a universe
a uvula
a urine sample (I know it's gross. work with me)

you use 'an' when the sound that follows creates a vowel sound

an hour
an honor

otherwise the a for consonant, an for vowels rule works. And they say there's no logic to English. If none exist, you can always make a rule of thumb!

Answer 2

Well in all technicality, using an would be correct. For example, My mom, who isn't very good at English, would use "an." jhowever, most of us would use "a" simply for the fact that it sounds right. Welcome to the english language.

Answer 3

The first 'phonic' letter is what determines the use of 'a' or 'an' not the actual letter. In 'unusual' the 'u' has an 'a' sound but in 'universal' it has a 'you' sound. The phonic is what detrermines its use.

Answer 4

Caz english is a funny language .
Mail me i'll explain it in details .

Answer 5

Because "u" is pronounced as if it were "you."

The opposite is true of the word "honor" - since it is pronounced as if it were written "onor" you use "an" in that case.