"a" or "an"?

Question

I know you use "a" when the next word starts with a consinant like a friend. and I know that you use "an" when the next word starts with a vowel, like an insult. But what if the next word starts with a "u" like an unicorn or an urinalysis? Are there any exceptions to the "a" "an" rule?

Answer 1

You are correct, the typical context of the "a" and "an" is used for the consonant of the object; the execption is the "u" sound which makes the phonic "yoo" which is a consonant sound. 'A unicorn' is the correct context.

There are exceptions scattered around the latin dialect and German, such as "Uber" meaning great or large, but the English context would be "An uber-(object)." Hence the sound is made in this case by the phonic "ooh."

Answer 2

Yes there are exceptions to this rule . Whenever a word would have a consonant that is the first letter of the word and it is followed by a vowel you should use the word " an" such as the word heir hour

Answer 3

Are there any exceptions to the "a" "an" rule?
An hour.
But what if the next word starts with a "u" like an unicorn or an urinalysis?
Use A i think.

Answer 4

You need to use an when the word starts with a vowel SOUND. With a word like Hour. The h is silent so you use an.

Answer 5

Good question.
yes there are exceptions. You would use a unicorn.
If the u in the word has a 'you' pronunciation, you would use a. Oherwise an

Answer 6

there are some exception such as unicorn, uniform, university as they are pronounced as "you" and not "u" at the beginning of the word.

Answer 7

no there is no exception as you know the english language is changing day throw day

Answer 8

no i know it doesn't sound right but trust me just use an.