Use Of The A And An Questions Medium
When deciding whether to use "a" or "an" before words starting with a silent "y," it is important to consider the sound that follows the "y." The general rule is to use "a" before words starting with a silent "y" when the sound that follows is a consonant sound. On the other hand, use "an" before words starting with a silent "y" when the sound that follows is a vowel sound. For example, we say "a yacht" because the "y" is followed by a consonant sound (/j/), but we say "an honest person" because the "y" is followed by a vowel sound (/ɒ/).