[Grammar] Articles

[rn5a]

The article an is used in front of words that start with vowels but have a look at the following sentence:

England is a European country.

Why isn't it

England is an European country.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[2006]

The article an is used in front of words that start with vowel sounds.

England is a European country.

Why isn't it

England is an European country.
because although "European" begins with the vowel "E", that "Eu" has a "y" sound, as in 'you'. You have to decide on the basis of the sound, not on whether it is a vowel or not.
Thanks,

Ron

2006

 

[rn5a]

But Eu has a u sound....so why it shouldn't be England is an European country. Why should one consider Eu having the you sound rather than the u sound?

Thanks,

Ron

 

[2006]

But Eu has a u sound....so why it shouldn't be England is an European country. Why should one consider Eu having the you sound rather than the u sound?

Thanks,

Ron

The name of the letter "u" and the word "you" have the same sound. Both of those sounds start with a 'y' sound, as in 'yellow' and 'young'.
So as we say 'a young person', we also say a European'.

The letter u, the word 'you' and the 'Eu' in 'European' all have the long u sound. The short u sound is what the word 'uncle' starts with. So we say 'an uncle'.
You have to remember that the vowels have different long and short sounds. I hope it's clearer now.

 

[2006]

long and short vowel sounds

long a make, short a cat
long e be, short e set
long i fine, short i skin
long o go, short o not
long u use, short u uncle