A vs. an: Usage Guide
In speech and writing a is used before a consonant sound.
Before a vowel sound an is usual
but especially in speech a is used occasionally, more often in some dialects than in others.
Before a consonant sound represented by a vowel letter a is usual
but an also occurs though less frequently now than formerly.
Before unstressed or weakly stressed syllables with initial h both a and an are used in writing.
In the King James Version of the Old Testament and occasionally in writing and speech an is used before h in a stressed syllable.
Psalms 127:3 (King James Version)
Dictionary Entries Near an
Cite this Entry
“An.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/an. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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