Why doesn't "x" fit in with the "and sometimes y" rule? I know we never use it as a vowel in the middle of a word, but we do say "an X-Ray", "an xbox", and "a xylophone". Typically, the article "an" is reserved for use before vowels.
2007-02-06 14:36:03 · 8 answers · asked by Jaye 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
In spite of the fact that "Xbox" does not seem to separate the letter out in the spelling, you are not pronouncing the letter X when you say "X-ray" or "xbox"; you are pronouncing the name of the letter X, which is pronounced "ex." In the word "xylophone," the letter X is pronounced as a Z; and the article properly is "a" and not "an" (as you noted properly).
I'm not sure how to spell all the names of the letters; it's a pretty good bet that the name of the letter X is spelled "ex," however. I know the name of the letter H is spelled "aitch." (Your trivia for the day.)
2007-02-06 14:44:07 · answer #1 · answered by amy02 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you're getting confused between vowel letters and vowel sounds.
"An" is used before vowel sounds (and sometimes the "h" sound). The beginning of the word "X-Ray" for example, is a vowel sound; it sounds like "eksrei". Whatever letter is used to represent the sound is irrelevant in making the decision about which article to use.
I think it's kind of unfortunate that certain letters have been called consonants and vowels, because it tends to cloud issues like these. English is famous for having spellings that don't closely match the sounds they supposedly represent. English spelling reflects the old pronunciation much better than it represents current pronunciation.
2007-02-07 03:01:52 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, in addition to x not being used between two consonants, it is also not a vowel because we say AN x-ray. We say 'an' because 'x' is pronounced 'ex'. The pronunciation begins with a vowel sound.
Consider 'h' in 'house' and 'h' in 'hour': A house, and AN hour. In the second example, the silent 'h' makes the first sound a vowel 'o'.
2007-02-06 22:44:53 · answer #3 · answered by Nicnac 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what about the word "hour"? we say "it will take about an hour to get somewhere."
i dont think x is considered a vowel because it has a hard sound to its own pronounciation..
like, "a, e, i, o, and u" all have a soft sound where as the letter x is usually pronounced "ecks" (and i just realized that when you spell it like that it starts with an e, which would give you the theory of using "an" before it...)
i dont know if its true for sure, but i think it makes sense...
2007-02-06 22:44:05 · answer #4 · answered by sillygoose1015 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we also say "an historical occasion", but that doesnt make H a vowel. Vowels make vowel sounds. A y sometimes makes a vowel sound.
2007-02-06 22:43:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that vowels are the strongest part of syllable and are made with the breath
the letter "s" is written "ess" and the article is also "an" as it is with many consonants
2007-02-07 03:01:53 · answer #6 · answered by pale_vixen 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Inglesh and graymer r sumwat confuzing too th comon laman, that iz two sa, i prefur too deel en moor esotearik endevhors.
2007-02-07 02:07:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
a e i o and sometimes u are used. English is tricky -adjective, active words, acronyms . etc consonants etc is.. don't worry about it ..x is a prefix sometimes.. its a letter thats all
2007-02-06 22:58:17 · answer #8 · answered by gypsygirl731 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋