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English: A vs. An

365 points · 529 comments · azhenley

  1. loloquwowndueo · · focus · HN ↗
    > for some words, we use an. For example, an apple.

    The rule is fairly simple as it was taught to me - if the word (apple) begins with a vowel sound, use “an” to avoid cacophony. Same way one uses “o” (means “or” in Spanish) but “u” if the next word begins with a vowel.

    What matters is the sound though, not the character - so it’s not as trivial to algorithmize. Eg. A hammock, an hour.

    1. blharr · · focus · HN ↗
      This is covered exactly in the post right under that sentence. Why just restate it?
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