Putting a before apple!

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi

I would like to know if it ever happen to native speakers that they use A before vowel sounds. I mean, are they always accurate? Does it ever happen that after using an you decide to use some adjective which does not start with a vowel sound? How natural is it to use an before vowel sounds?

Tom

2

Hi Tom

The use of “an” is based on pronunciation, not on spelling. “An” is usually used before words that begin with a vowel, but a better “rule” would be that “an” is used before words that sound like they begin with a vowel.

I’d say native speakers make very few errors with “an” when speaking. Using the word “a” where the word “an” should be is just to difficult to pronounce when speaking at a normal speed. IF an error is made, it would most likely be in writing — either through simple carelessness or because the person was focused only on spelling (i.e., not thinking about pronunciation at all).

The following are all correct:

  • a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (“once” sounds like it begins with “w”)
  • an opportunity
  • a unique umbrella (“unique” sounds like it begins with “y”)
  • an umbrella
  • an awful house
  • a house
  • a boring hour
  • an hour (the “h” in “hour” is not pronounced)

etc. :wink:

Amy

3

In cockney English (East-end of London; “My Fair Lady” etc) they often drop the first “h”.
So a house becomes an 'ouse and a horse becomes an 'orse

Art