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Using 'an' with U

If 'an' is required to be used with a vowel sound, then why don't we say an Universe, an Unicorn, although I know it sounds Y in the beginning. Then Why U is part of the vowel in the first place.

Re: Using \'an\' with U

We pronounce u as [ju:]and it sounds Y in the beginning.And Y is a consonant
sound that is why required to be used with 'a'.We say a universe, a union, a unicom.

Re: Using \\\'an\\\' with U

Thanks for replying, but as I see you are just repeating me. My question is: when pronouncing 'University' sounds like 'Yu' and so 'a' and not 'an' should precede it, then why should 'U' be part of the vowels in the first place.

Re: Using \\\\\\\'an\\\\\\\' with U

There are times when u acts as expected (i.e., exactly like a vowel) and times when it acts like a consonants. For example:

a unicorn
an unintended benefit

It happens with consonants too:

a house
an hour

The letter u most often acts like vowel. It only acts like a consonant at the start of some words. That's not enough to drag it into the consonant category.

Here is more on using an and a.



Re: Using \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'an\\\\\\

Thanks Craig.