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1

An n-dimensional generalisation

OR

2

A n-dimensional generalisation.

I would like to say the first is correct but my friend insists the second. Which is the correct way?

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    You are correct. You can point you friend to this question, which yours is a duplicate of When should I use "a" vs "an"? – Alan Munn Feb 11 '15 at 05:56
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    So far as I can see this visually misleading case is not explicitly covered in Alan's reference. We are sometimes taught to determine "a" versus "an" by considering whether the following word starts with a vowel or consonant, and seeing the consonant "n" think "a". The determinant is, as Alan's reference says, the pronunciation. – djna Feb 11 '15 at 06:43

1 Answers1

2

Determined by pronunciation: n is pronounced "en" and therefore starts with a vowel so use an.

A two-dimensional generalisation.
An n-dimensional generalisation

and, because one is pronounced won

A one-dimensional generalisation
djna
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