Job Discussion Forums

[mapache]

Why does one wear a uniform instead of an uniform?

[veroax]

My understanding is that we use "a" with the "iu" pronunciation of the letter "U." (ie. a uniform, a university, etc.) We use "an" with the short U pronunciation (ie. an umbrella, an umpire, etc.)

[Linda T.]

Ah . . . Mapache . . . finally one I think I can answer off the top of my head without referring to a text.

Although "a" is generally used before a consanant and "an" before a vowel, this is more of a sound than a sight rule. If you were to hear the word uniform without having ever seen it in writing, your assumption would most likely be that it starts with a "y," not a "u." I think along these same lines that, depending upon whether you pronounce the "h" or not, you could be talking about "a" herb or "an" herb. I would imagine the reason for the rule would be to keep the "a" from runing into the vowel sound starting the next word in such a way that it gets swallowed up by it (a-apple compared to an apple). In uniform, you don't have to worry about the "you" sound swallowing up the "a."

Please correct me if I'm wrong, though, because the top-of-my-head is not necessarily the most authoritative resource.

[TheLongWayHome]

Yes, an before a vowel sound - a university (y sound) an umbrella (u vowel sound)

[mapache]

cool - thanks everybody