Can I use A or An before words starting with a silent m?

Use Of The A And An Questions Medium



70 Short 80 Medium 46 Long Answer Questions Question Index

Can I use A or An before words starting with a silent m?

Yes, you can use "a" or "an" before words starting with a silent "m." The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound that follows the article, not the silent letter at the beginning of the word.

For example, you would say "an hour" because the word "hour" starts with a silent "h" and the sound that follows is a vowel sound. Similarly, you would say "a university" because the word "university" starts with a silent "u" and the sound that follows is a consonant sound.

In summary, when deciding whether to use "a" or "an," focus on the sound that follows the article, not the silent letter at the beginning of the word.