AboutLaura Expertise I can help with questions about research projects, literature, and writing for middle school and high school. I can also help with on-line resources and integration of technology in learning.
Experience I am a certified library media specialist and language arts teacher.
Education/Credentials MEd Instructional Technolgy- 1999 Arkansas Tech University
BA English- 1995 University of Central Arkansas
Expert: Laura Date: 1/25/2007 Subject: The use of "a" and "an"
Question Hello Laura,
You may find this question a little out of the ordinary, but your profile said your expertise is in writing, so I chose you. Here goes:
Since my college days I have been very aware, and sometimes even anal about the improper use of "a" and "an" preceding certain words. If memory serves me, the general rule of thumb is "a" precedes a word beginning with a consonant, and "an" precedes words starting with a vowel. For example: I decided to take "a" bus to the ballgame and get "an" autograph from my favorite player.
But I continue to see this misused in the media, which are supposed to be above exemplary when it comes to proper use of grammar. What I am talking about is one particular phrase, and that phrase is: " an Historic event " ! Why is it that "an" is always used in this way? Was I taught wrong in high school English, and English Comp. in college? For years I have seen "an" used before historic, and I finally had to ask someone if I have been wrong all these years. Well, have I ?
