The so-called 'exceptional case' for a/an

CalebMa

If follow the 'a,e,i,o,u' rule, hour should be 'a hour', but it is 'an hour' because 'h' sound is not counted.  Does anyone can give me more words like this for me?  Thanks!

KLLP

words that use an inf front of the noun because  "h" sound is not pronounced :

honest, honour, heir


for the noun "University", "a" is used instead of "an"

KristyMum

There has been discussion in BK on the use of a/an.
I copy the previous messages for your information.  

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有一句 I can see an MTR train.點解用 an, 唔用 a MTR train！
use 'an' before MTR because it is pronounced as em for M, ie a vowel

The use of artical "a" or "an" not only depends on a,e,i,o,u but also depends on the pronounciation of the word. Here are some more examples for your information.

"a" uniform
"a" university
"a" one-stop basis
but
"an" honest man
"an" MTR station

至於honest點解要用an,唔用a,係因為佢嘅第一個發音係o,而h係無音嘅,所以要用an囉.
It should be "an ear" as it begins with the "e" sound. Most Hong Kong people pronounce ear as "year" instead of "ear" but to begin the word with a "y" sound is not correct.

因為KCR train, 係用 a KCR train, 而唔係"an" KCR train.

we use 'a' before a consonant and 'an' before a vowel. But it depends on the PRONUNICATION of the following word, not the SPELLING.

For instance, the pronunication of MP is (em'pi:/) therefore we should use an instead of a. MTR would be applied to the same principle. You may try to pronunce 'EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE'. These 2 words you will use an or a? Yes, we should use an employer & an employee because of their pronunciation. See? The same sound with MTR they are! According to the pronunication rule, 'an' is used in front of SOS but not 'a'. X-ray is also using 'an' not 'a'. VIP is using 'a' because of its pronuniciation. Remember when we pronunce the vowel sounds of 'A,E,I,O,U', please do not pronunce as they are the alphabets which I've always made the mistakes in the past. Otherwise, you never get the right answer if you pronunce it wrongly.

The booklet "The Right Word at the Right Time" published by the Reader's Digest can answer

It is the initial vowel when we speak out (pronounce) to use the article 'an'. Here are some more examples:

1. an hour
2. an NBA member

3. a university student

The usage of 'a' is before an unspecified singular noun when the following word begins with a consonant sound.

The usage of 'an' is before an unspecified singular noun when the following word begins with a vowel sound.

Actually, most vowel sounds are written with the letters a,e,i,o,u whilst most consonant sounds are written with letters other than a,e,i,o,u. Unless some consonant sounds are silent e.g. an honest boy. A one-eyed cat because the one is read as 'won'!

CalebMa

Thanks for all moms.  The explanation is very clear and useful, but can you all give me one example of a word starting with 'u' and use 'an' instead of 'a'?

KLLP

CalebMa 寫道:
Thanks for all moms.  The explanation is very clear and useful, but can you all give me one example of a word starting with 'u' and use 'an' instead of 'a'?

"an" unnecessary remark
"an" umbrella