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

Use Of The A And An Questions Medium



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

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

If the word following "a" or "an" starts with a vowel sound, you would use "an." For example, you would say "an octopus" because the word "octopus" starts with a vowel sound, even though the "o" is silent.

On the other hand, if the word following "a" or "an" starts with a consonant sound, you would use "a." For example, you would say "a one-eyed pirate" because the word "one" starts with a consonant sound, even though it is spelled with a silent "o."

In summary, the use of "a" or "an" before words starting with a silent "o" depends on the sound that follows the article, not the silent letter at the beginning of the word.