"a" or an

I was never very good in english in fact I think I did worst then in chemistry. I remember being taught that you use an if tyhe next word etarts with a vowel. Is this true, what is the proper use for an and a
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[philadelphia]

An a/e/i/o/u/y

However, I believe there're a few exceptions. At this moment, I can't remember about it.

[Barb_D]

You use "an" if the next thing starts with a vowel sound.

Words like univeristy (yoo-niveristy) take only a while umbrella (uhm-brella) take an, because of the differences in their sounds.

Also an abbreviation like FBI (eff-bee-eye) takes an because of the sounds. An FBI agent.

-not a teacher -