"A" -or- "An" Poll

01-21-2006, 03:25 PM

"a" NP -or- "an" NP
Grammatically "a" is correct but due to the pronunciation I am always tempted to pop the "n" onto the ending. I hate to admit it but, on more than one occassion I have stopped and givent the matter a little thought- "grammatical correctness"? or "sound that flows" ?

So, without further adieu, I present you with my entrant for this year's "Top 10 Most Useless Polls" List!:
"a"NP, (by the book) -or "an"NP, (by the "feel")
ex He's a NPer or He's an NPer
A NP member or An NP member

True_Snake · 01-21-2006, 03:35 PM

I think I would focus on the sound flowing better.

Like how would you say "1 hour"; "a hour" or "an hour". Likely the second one; but in writing, you could write "a hour" but people would still read "an hour",

.

*an* True_Snake

Yer response motivated adding on two new options.

photoshopfreak · 01-21-2006, 03:39 PM

"An SEO expert"

I see that quite alot & i'm not sure what others think but i thing it sounds stupid

...

01-21-2006, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by True_Snake

I think I would focus on the sound flowing better.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/the-break-room/160022-a-or-an-poll.html

Like how would you say "1 hour"; "a hour" or "an hour". Likely the second one; but in writing, you could write "a hour" but people would still read "an hour",

.

*an* True_Snake

Yer response motivated adding on two new options.

Palyriot · 01-21-2006, 03:48 PM

I would use an NPer. I thought that 'an' would be the correct way for saying an acronym...such as namepros.

01-21-2006, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Palyriot

I would use an NPer. I thought that 'an' would be the correct way for saying an acronym...such as namepros.

Correct, preferrable, better? What do you mean by correct? Is there a grammatical convention for acronyms?

webfreak · 01-21-2006, 03:59 PM

Actually, I believe the "a" and "an" rule have to do with a vowel or consonant sound. Maybe it's just me.

So, to answer your question, it would be "an NP" because it sounds like "an enP"

mholt · 01-21-2006, 04:03 PM

Here's the deal:

When you say "N" or "S", you REALLY are saying this: "ennn" or "esss", the sound starts with a vowel.

That's why it sounds right to say "an" in most abbreviations.

Just my $0.02.

Amnezia · 01-21-2006, 04:03 PM

i prefer 'an' because it begins with 'an' 'a'

01-21-2006, 04:08 PM

I'll look at a cross section of vocab rules books (<- double plurals are another one of those uncomfortable ones, BTW), and see what the concensus is on "a" "an" usage, (if someone doesn't beat me to it, first, that is). Goin' off for a bike ride.

smub · 01-21-2006, 04:12 PM

in my opinion you should practice to speak/write in perfect grammer.

I know, i am not habitually used to of using perfect grammer, but i want to.

if you say "a hour" (it sounds like that you are illiterate) so try to say an hour

Palyriot · 01-21-2006, 04:14 PM

Just like compu said, if it's an acronym and you're saying each letter seperately, you use an if the letter's sound begins with a vowel.

01-21-2006, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Palyriot

Just like compu said, if it's an acronym and you're saying each letter seperately, you use an if the letter's sound begins with a vowel.

compu said: "it sounds right to say "an" in most abbreviations." You are saying that "you use an if the letter's sound begins w/ a vowel. What I'm going for is: 1) What is the official grammar rule or rules that apply 2) Are there acceptable forms of usage other than what is correct grammar? 3) What are the general usage preferences?

webfreak · 01-21-2006, 05:53 PM

Indeed we are on the right track, Grrilla!

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esliart.html

01-21-2006, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by surfertalk

Indeed we are on the right track, Grrilla!

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esliart.html

Now we're cooking, surfertalk!

Epic · 01-21-2006, 06:51 PM

Really when you say NP you're saying ENP and when the article "a" is before a vowel you use "an"

I think...

sufi · 01-21-2006, 08:08 PM

An NP is correct term IMO

01-22-2006, 01:35 AM

Yep. The answer showed up in surfertalk's link:

Quote:

The choice of article is actually based upon the phonetic (sound) quality of the first letter in a word, not on the orthographic (written) representation of the letter. If the first letter makes a vowel-type sound, you use "an"; if the first letter would makes a consonant-type sound, you use "a." So, if you consider the rule from a phonetic perspective, there aren't any exceptions. Since the 'h' hasn't any phonetic representation, no audible sound, in the first exception, the sound that follows the article is a vowel; consequently, 'an' is used. In the second exception, the word-initial 'y' sound (unicorn) is actually a glide [j] phonetically, which has consonantal properties; consequently, it is treated as a consonant, requiring 'a'.

That's one of those rules I'm sure I learned in grammar school, but have long since forgotten. It's curious, to me, that so many votes were cast to pull the poll. Hopefully, this represents people who felt the poll unnecessary because they knew the rule already, and not due to a general lack of interest in grammar and word usage, particularly, when you consider the subject matter that we work with at our site.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=160022
Than again, 3) gives you a sort of a two pronged option. Maybe I'm being told that I'd better get a life.

oh me. oh me. what am i to do, now? Oh me, oh my!

LeetPCUser · 01-22-2006, 03:39 PM

I would have to say that you are writing it and not speaking it. Even if you were speaking it would be an. Grammar is the most correct.

01-22-2006, 06:12 PM

I was trying to think of other instances, in which, phonetics are the determing factor in setting a grammatical or spelling rule. In other words, situations where the correct grammar and spelling are determined by the sounds involved. Usually, it's just the opposite- the spelling/letter placement determines the sound of the the word or the word combination.

Besides "a" + "an" where else in the English language does the sound legislate the grammar?

View Poll Results: "a"NP, (by the book) -or "an"NP, (by the "feel") in Posts and Chat
You are writing and not speaking. Go with the correct written form.	5	25.00%
Although you are using the written word as the medium, forums are conversational in nature. Go w/ what sounds the best.	6	30.00%
Get a life and pull this Poll off of here, immediately!	7	35.00%
The heck w/ what sounds best or what is grammatically correct. Go with what looks correct to the eye.	0	0%
The heck w/ what looks the best or what is grammatically correct. Match up the letters to the sound of a voice that is speaking.	2	10.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

01-21-2006, 03:25 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
Grrilla Guest Posts: n/a	"A" -or- "An" Poll "a" NP -or- "an" NP Grammatically "a" is correct but due to the pronunciation I am always tempted to pop the "n" onto the ending. I hate to admit it but, on more than one occassion I have stopped and givent the matter a little thought- "grammatical correctness"? or "sound that flows" ? So, without further adieu, I present you with my entrant for this year's "Top 10 Most Useless Polls" List!: "a"NP, (by the book) -or "an"NP, (by the "feel") ex He's a NPer or He's an NPer A NP member or An NP member

01-21-2006, 03:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
True_Snake In-House Graphic Designer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,288	I think I would focus on the sound flowing better. Like how would you say "1 hour"; "a hour" or "an hour". Likely the second one; but in writing, you could write "a hour" but people would still read "an hour", . an True_Snake Yer response motivated adding on two new options. __________________ Logos:PM ME! OVECHKIN.INFO! Rising Star! Last edited by Grrilla; 01-21-2006 at 03:45 PM.

01-21-2006, 04:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Amnezia Professional Monkey Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Escaped from the zoo Posts: 907	i prefer 'an' because it begins with 'an' 'a' __________________ Webmaster Words

01-21-2006, 04:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
smub Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: balkhis.com Posts: 3,158	in my opinion you should practice to speak/write in perfect grammer. I know, i am not habitually used to of using perfect grammer, but i want to. if you say "a hour" (it sounds like that you are illiterate) so try to say an hour __________________ Balkhis - Helpful tips regarding marketing, SEO, Web Design and SEO. Uzzz Productions - Custom Web Designs \| WordPress Beginners Guide

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01-21-2006, 03:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
photoshopfreak NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 464	"An SEO expert" I see that quite alot & i'm not sure what others think but i thing it sounds stupid ...

01-21-2006, 03:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Palyriot NamePros Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 596	I would use an NPer. I thought that 'an' would be the correct way for saying an acronym...such as namepros.

01-21-2006, 03:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
webfreak Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,604	Actually, I believe the "a" and "an" rule have to do with a vowel or consonant sound. Maybe it's just me. So, to answer your question, it would be "an NP" because it sounds like "an enP"

01-21-2006, 04:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
mholt DNOA Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,040	Here's the deal: When you say "N" or "S", you REALLY are saying this: "ennn" or "esss", the sound starts with a vowel. That's why it sounds right to say "an" in most abbreviations. Just my $0.02.

01-21-2006, 04:08 PM	THREAD STARTER #10 (permalink)
Grrilla Guest Posts: n/a	I'll look at a cross section of vocab rules books (<- double plurals are another one of those uncomfortable ones, BTW), and see what the concensus is on "a" "an" usage, (if someone doesn't beat me to it, first, that is). Goin' off for a bike ride.

01-21-2006, 04:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
Palyriot NamePros Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 596	Just like compu said, if it's an acronym and you're saying each letter seperately, you use an if the letter's sound begins with a vowel.

01-21-2006, 05:53 PM	#14 (permalink)
webfreak Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,604	Indeed we are on the right track, Grrilla! http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/esl/esliart.html

01-21-2006, 06:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
Epic Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,767	Really when you say NP you're saying ENP and when the article "a" is before a vowel you use "an" I think... __________________ Attractive, Compelling, Efficient Web Design & Development

01-21-2006, 08:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
sufi NamePros Expert Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LinksHut.com Posts: 7,697	An NP is correct term IMO __________________ Social Bookmarking Service - 100 Bookmarks + BONUS for just $5

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

01-22-2006, 03:39 PM	#19 (permalink)
LeetPCUser Account Closed Join Date: May 2005 Location: Whitewater, WI Posts: 3,710	I would have to say that you are writing it and not speaking it. Even if you were speaking it would be an. Grammar is the most correct.

01-22-2006, 06:12 PM	THREAD STARTER #20 (permalink)
Grrilla Guest Posts: n/a	I was trying to think of other instances, in which, phonetics are the determing factor in setting a grammatical or spelling rule. In other words, situations where the correct grammar and spelling are determined by the sounds involved. Usually, it's just the opposite- the spelling/letter placement determines the sound of the the word or the word combination. Besides "a" + "an" where else in the English language does the sound legislate the grammar?

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