How do I determine whether to use A or An before a word?

How do I determine whether to use A or An before a word?

To determine whether to use "a" or "an" before a word, you need to consider the sound that the word begins with, rather than the actual letter.

Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound. For example, "a dog," "a book," or "a university."

Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound. For example, "an apple," "an hour," or "an honest person."

Remember, it is the sound that matters, not the actual letter. So, even if a word starts with a vowel, if it has a consonant sound, you should use "a." For example, "a European trip" (pronounced as yoo-ro-pee-an) or "a one-time offer" (pronounced as wun-tahym).

It is important to note that some words may have different pronunciations, and the choice between "a" and "an" may vary depending on the specific pronunciation.