Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[LeBron]

Hello, I have a question. When I was young I learned in front of a word beginning with a vowel I have to switch a to an.

For instance: "Do you want an apple?"

But what do I have to do if there is an adverb in front of the word "apple", for example the adverb "tasty"? You know in this case the "a" is not directly in front of the word beginning with a vowel. So which one is correct?

"Do you want an tasty apple?"

or

"Do you want a tasty apple?"

I hope you can help me.

Thanks
LeBron

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello LeBaron -

'Do you want a tasty apple?' is correct. Philo

[LeBron]

Thanks for your answer Philo.

So this is a fixed rule that we always left the "n" when we have an adverb in front, yeah?
...Or are there any exeptions?


LeBron

[CP]

It doesn't matter whether the word after "a" or "an" is a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. What matters is whether it starts with a vowel. (Oh, and "tasty" is an adjective, not an adverb.)

An apple. A pear.
A nice apple. An edible pear.
A very nice apple. An incredibly sour pear.

Although "y" is sometimes a vowel, it usually is not treated as a vowel for "a" and "an": A year, a yo-yo, a yellow pear. But an Ypsilanti taxi, since Ypsilanti is pronounced Ipsilantee.

Although "h" is a consonant, it is sometimes silent, so it is treated as though a vowel: An hour. An honorary degree. A hypothetical question. A happening.

Hope this helps.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[LeBron]

Yes, thank you. Your answer helps me a lot

[CP]

The only real reason for changing a into an, by the way, is because it sounds better and is easier to say.

Back in Shakespeare's time, they did the same thing with my: I can say Tom is my uncle, but Shakespeare would have said Tom is mine uncle. He also used nuncle as an abbreviation for mine uncle. Hello, Nuncle. What news?

Same thing for thy / thine, meaning your.

I don't know why we quit using mine with initial vowels, or why we quit using thy / thine at all. I'd like to have them back.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb