[Grammar] "an" user's manual / "a" user's manual

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shiho0165

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When I see other thread, it was mentioned,

It is not "an" user's ---, but "a" user's---.

As we was taught we put "an" by following the word begins with a vowel "a,e,i, o, u", I thought this case is "an".

Is there any rules?
 
You mean "Are there any rules?"

Yes, there are. It is not the letter used to begin the next word which determines whether "a" or "an" is used. It is whether that word begins with a vowel sound or not.

"User" starts with a "y" sound. It is "you-ser," not "oo-ser." That's a consonant. So you use "a."

"Umbrella" starts with an "um," not a "yum." That's a vowel sound. So use "an."

A unicorn. An umbrella.
 
Thank you for your replay and the edition ; "Are there --- ?" too!
 
In addition to the letter u, the same also applies with words beginning with e:
an egg :tick:
a European :tick:
 
Also in some words starting with h:
a horse, a house
an hour, an honor
 
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