The choice between a and an is determined by sound. Before a
word beginning with a vowel sound an is used; as,
An ass, an
enemy, an inkpad, an orange, an umbrella, an hour, an honest man, an hair.
It will be noticed that the words hour, honest, heir begin
with a vowel sound, as the initial consonant he is not pronounced.
Before a word beginning with a consonant sound a is used;
as,
A boy, a
reindeer, a woman, a year, a horse, a hole, also a university, a union, a
European, a ewe, a unicorn, a useful article.
Because these words (university, union, etc ) begin with a
consonant sound, that of you. Similarly we say,
A one-rupee
note, such a one, a one-eyed man.
Because one begins with the consonant sound of w.
Some native speaker use an before words beginning with h if
first syllable is not stressed.
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