Use of "an" for a word not starting with a vowel

Question

I've encountered this quite a few times now. I'm aware that usually words, starting with a vowel require an "an", words not starting with a vowel are preceded by an "a".

Sometimes words start with a consonant, but when spoken out loud, it sounds like a vowel, for instance an hour.

Is the use of "an" in this case correct due to the sound it would make when spoke out loud?

The accepted answer on this question explains it quite well, too. — J.R., Apr 05 '16 at 15:09

Mia · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-05T14:58:55.743

3

Here is the rule:

Use AN before words such as "hour" which sound like they start with a vowel even if the first letter is a consonant. Also use AN before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a vowel, such as "F" or "8". Remember, it is the sound not the spelling which is important. For example, "F" is pronounced "eff" like it starts with an "E".

Examples:

I only have an hour for lunch. Sounds like "au-er".

Does his name begin with an "F"? Sounds like "eff"

Use A before words such as "European" or "university" which sound like they start with a consonant even if the first letter is a vowel. Also use A before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a consonant, such as "U", "J", "1" or "9". Remember, it is the sound not the spelling which is important. For example, "1" is spelled O-N-E; however, it is pronounced "won" like it starts with a "W".

Examples:

She has a euro. Sounds like "yu-ro".

That number is a "1". Sounds like "won".

edited Apr 05 '16 at 14:58

answered Apr 05 '16 at 14:53

Mia

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Which consonant "European" start sounds like? – Joao Arruda Apr 05 '16 at 14:55
@JoaoArruda "European" sounds like it starts with the consonant sound of a "y". – Catija Apr 05 '16 at 14:58
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@JoaoArruda "Y", like "Your". (For added confusion, "Y" is sometimes a vowel... but not here.) – T.J.L. Apr 05 '16 at 14:58
I guess it goes with the accent in which the word is spoken, in the case of "European"... I can see the "Y" now that you mentioned, but I couldn't before because it's not how I say it – Joao Arruda Apr 05 '16 at 15:00
@Joao.I hope you will find these tips helpful. – Mia Apr 05 '16 at 15:03
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There's a childish joke that it sounds like "Your a-peein'". – Justin Young Apr 05 '16 at 17:32
@JustinYoung .Lol.!It can be used as a mnemonic! – Mia Apr 05 '16 at 17:35
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That should be "you're"...bad native speaker...shame on me. – Justin Young Apr 05 '16 at 22:59
@JustinYoung . :) – Mia Apr 07 '16 at 18:23

Use of "an" for a word not starting with a vowel

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