Writing a SOP or Writing an sop?

Question

I know it should be "a" but it sounds so awkward? So should it be "an"?

An MOAQ on ELL (see this question, for example; MOAQ = much often asked question). Also a duplicate of Do you use "a" or "an" before acronyms? — J.R., Aug 14 '17 at 14:55

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 14 '17 at 15:11

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It is recommended that, when dealing with abbreviations, you apply the "rule" based on how the abbreviation would be pronounced. In this case, "Ess Oh Pee," requiring the article "an."

answered Aug 14 '17 at 15:11

JBH

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score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 14 '17 at 15:44

Use a before words that start with a consonant sound and an before words that start with a vowel sound. Other letters can also be pronounced either way. Just remember it is the sound that governs whether you use a or an, not the actual first letter of the word.

Writing a SOP or Writing an sop?

2 Answers2