(Use of A/An):
These are-
The general rule (1): If the first letter of a singular common noun is a consonant letter, it is preceded by “A.”.
Some examples are:
Each of the above nouns is a singular common noun, and the first letter of each noun is a respective “p, b, m, c” consonant letter. So they are preceded by “A.”.
The general rule (2): If the first letter of a singular common noun is a vowel letter, it is preceded by ”an.”.
Some examples are:
Note: Remember that a singular common noun must be preceded by an article.
For example:
Explanation: The word “a” is not mentioned in the two sentences above, but “A” is placed before the two words “letter’ and ‘book”. This is because the words ‘letter’ and “book” are singular common nouns.
Note: Remember, if a singular common noun is not specified, then it means anyone. it must be assumed.
#But, there are some exceptions to the above two general rules.
Exceptions rule [1]: if a noun or adjective starts with the letter ”H” and is implied (is not pronounced), it is preceded by "An.".
However, if the stress is on the 2nd syllable of a word,’ H’ is pronounced, but “An” sits before the vowel.
For example:
For example:
Exceptions rule [2]: If a word starts with “o” and is pronounced like “wa,” it is preceded by an “A”.In other words, the term “one” is preceded by an “A.”.
For example:
# But, if “o” is pronounced differently than ‘wa”, it is preceded by “An”.
For example:
Exceptions rule [3]: if a word starts with “U” and “U” is pronounced like “eu” then it is preceded by “A”.
For example:-
# But, if “U” is pronounced like “aa”, it is preceded by “An”.
Some examples:-
Exceptions rule [4]: Again, if a word has one or more vowels at the beginning and is pronounced like “U,” then “A” sits before it.
Such as:-
Exceptions rule [5]: If one or more short letters are used to mean the title, then “An” will be placed before the vowel if the first letter is pronounced.
Such as:-
M.A. (Master of Arts)
Here the first letter is "M,” and in it (M=A+M), it has the pronunciation of “A”i.e.vowel.So it will be preceded by “An”.
For example:-
#But, if a vowel is pronounced after the first letter, “A” will be placed before it.
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts):
Here the first letter is “B” and has a vowel -after it (B=B+E). So, it will be preceded by “A”.
For example:-
For example:
(2) Many times in the form of a preposition, i.e., instead of a preposition, “A” sits. It is called a disguised preposition.
For example:
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