Which one is correct in this sentence?
I have to write ____(a essay OR an essay)___ for class?
Is one *always* wrong or are they both right? If they can both be used, can you give me an example for when both are used? Thanks.
2007-02-09 01:06:28 · 23 answers · asked by Answer-Me-This 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"An" is correct. Essay begins with a vowel. It's a soft vowel as well. You wouldn't say "an unicorn" so it's not cut an dried that a noun starting with a vowel will be preceded by an.
2007-02-09 01:17:56 · answer #1 · answered by Taylor1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's 'an essay'. It took me forever to work this out as no one formally told me how to work out which was which.
But it's actually super simple!
'An' is used when the word begins with a vowel, such as essay, apple, igloo etc. (Vowells are A,E,I,O and U, though i'm sure you already knew that!)
'A' is used when the word begins with a consonant, such as dog, cat, book etc. So this usually is the most common used as I think a lot more words begin with consonants than vowells.
Of course in the English language no rules are really iron set, so there will be some examples when this doesn't work, but i believe that 'an' is never used for a word starting with a consonant, although 'a' can be used for words starting with vowells. I'd try to stick with this though, and you'll be correct most of the time! And then if you come across a word that doesn't fit with the rule, try and remember it. It's a constant learning sort of thing.
2007-02-09 09:18:03 · answer #2 · answered by Shanti76 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
An essay
2007-02-09 09:28:39 · answer #3 · answered by Monique 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"An" essay. Any time the next words starts with the sound of a vowel, you use "an" rather than "a". For example, the word honorable starts with an "h" but that is silent, so you would still say "an honorable act."
2007-02-09 09:15:48 · answer #4 · answered by lmnop 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to write 'an' essay for class.
It's always 'an' when the noun starts with a vowel.
2007-02-09 09:20:30 · answer #5 · answered by .::TRANG::. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an essay
2007-02-09 10:01:11 · answer #6 · answered by Bitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"an essay" is correct but "a essay" doesn't exist.
Hope I helped ;)
2007-02-09 09:10:56 · answer #7 · answered by abnatra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A essay ---- WRONG
an essay-- RIGHT
2007-02-09 09:19:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"an essay", generally speaking, "a" preceeds words starting with
a consonant and "an" preceeds words starting with a vowel.
2007-02-09 09:11:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should use "an essay".
2007-02-09 09:10:03 · answer #10 · answered by Iskandar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋