Grammar question: a vs. an

[GreyRabbit]

Hullo!

Question: It seems it's correct to say "She's a university student." Why "a" and not "an" when the next letter is a vowel?

Thanks!!

--Grey

 

[SirGod]

*Not a teacher

Because you use "an" before a vowel sound.

 

[Tdol]

Yes, it's based on the sound:

an umbrella
a university

an egg
a European

 

[konungursvia]

Meaning /j/ is a semi-consonant, which doesn't count as a vowel for liaison purposes.

 

[GreyRabbit]

Aaaaahhhh...okay, I hear it now. Hahaha I had to practice that a few times before the light bulb went off.

Thanks!

 

[KJM85]

I also have difficulties with this one.. an versus a

 

[nanaguerna]

you shouldn't look at the spelling. University really begins with a semivowel /j/, that's why a and not an.

 

[thai_vfu]

it depends on the sound of the first letter of the word.
an umbrella
a uniform

 

[5jj]

i think this sentence is not correct. according to me it should be

"She is an university student"

You are wrong.

Read the answers posted by SirGod, Tdol,honungursvia, nanaguerna and thai_vfu.

 

[Barb_D]

i think this sentence is not correct. according to me it should be


"She is an university student"




thanks

I also think you are not a native English speaker living in the U.S.

No American, no matter which part of the country, would say "an univerisity" and none of us use "according to me" either.

Please don't use false information when creating your profile, because learners depend on native speakers for what sounds right.

Additionally, please state that you are NOT a teacher in your posts.

 

[poorboy_9]

Totally agree with the "sound" reasoning. (LOL)
we would say: - an hour or
- an N.B.A. player
(as they both begins with "vowel sounds")

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Or "An Eminem album."

Try saying that after you've had a few.