"An RV" or "a RV"?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Do you use “a” or “an” before acronyms?

I am writing about Random Variables, which I am abbreviating to RV. Should I write 'an RV' (an Arr-Vee) or 'a RV' (a Random Variable)?

Answer 1

This depends entirely on how you expect people to read the letters RV. If you expect them to say "random variable" every time, then use a RV. If you expect that they'll pronounce the letter names, use an RV. Personally, I would lean towards the latter.

That's because the choice of a or an is determined entirely by pronunciation.

Answer 2

When someone reads "RV" aloud, they will say "Arr-Vee", not "random variable"; so 'an' is correct.

Answer 3

"An RV". It's whether it would be pronounced with a vowel sound that controls, and what you would actually say rather than the expansion.

Answer 4

"That there's an RV, Clark." - Cousin Eddie, Christmas Vacation

I think cousin Eddie got it right, as did @JSBangs.