What is the rule for using A or An before words starting with a silent u?

Use Of The A And An Questions Medium



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What is the rule for using A or An before words starting with a silent u?

The rule for using "A" or "An" before words starting with a silent "u" is based on the sound that follows the "u." If the sound that follows is a vowel sound, we use "An." If the sound that follows is a consonant sound, we use "A."

For example:
- "An umbrella" (the "u" is silent, and the following sound is a vowel sound, "uh")
- "A university" (the "u" is silent, but the following sound is a consonant sound, "yoo")

It is important to note that the rule is based on the sound, not the actual letter. So, even if the word starts with a silent "u," we still consider the sound that follows to determine whether to use "A" or "An."