When should I use A or An before words starting with a silent n?

Use Of The A And An Questions Medium



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When should I use A or An before words starting with a silent n?

You should use "an" before words starting with a silent "n." The use of "an" is determined by the sound of the following word, not the actual letter it starts with. When the following word begins with a vowel sound, including words with a silent "n," "an" is used. This is to ensure smooth pronunciation and avoid awkward sound combinations. For example, you would say "an hour" because the "h" in "hour" is silent, and the word starts with a vowel sound. Similarly, you would say "an honest person" because the "h" in "honest" is also silent.