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

Use Of The A And An Questions Medium



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

Yes, you can use "a" or "an" before words starting with a silent "r." 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" begins with a vowel sound, you would use "an." For example, you would say "an hour" because "hour" is pronounced with a silent "h" at the beginning, making the following sound a vowel sound.

On the other hand, if the word following "a" or "an" begins with a consonant sound, you would use "a." For example, you would say "a rabbit" because "rabbit" is pronounced with a consonant sound at the beginning, despite the silent "r."

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