Dear tutors Why is it said A University not An University?
Since ‘A’ can’t be used before a vowel e.g An Egg not A egg, An Elephant, An orange, An Umbrella, So then why do we now say A University, A Unique, A uniform?
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In this context it is more about the phonetics and the pronunciation of the word "University" more than the first letter of the word. The Phonetic pronunciation of the word university is "Yoo-Nuh-Vur-Suh-Tee", so the first phoneme gives a non-vowel sound and hence the reason for the use of A and not An. I hope I was able to help
Hello Before words starting with u sounding (eu) you have to put a. Best Regards
Such words as a university, a uniform,are EXCEPTIONS TO THE GENERAL RULE of the use of the indefinite article A,An.Warm wishes,Vjacheslav
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The sound of the letter U is Yu which can be read as consonant sound "y" that is why we read it as A University, same as A Unicorn.
An is before a vowel sound, not a vowel. A is before a consonant sound, not consonant. University starts with the phonics of a letter y, like it’s ‘youniversity’ not ‘oooniversity’
- Robert PickacardRobert Pickacard Certified English Teacher / Professional Magician
I'd say the phonetical function of the vowel "u" is more like a "y". You say a yacht and a yellow hat. It's as if University was spelt with a y hence a unique, a unicorn, aEuro a uniform and a University.
I support Zahid Ur Rehman, 100% correct.
Here the letter u is considered as its sound not the letter itself that's why it is called or written in this way.
Its the sound important, not the letter itself. That is why we always put an before a word starting with vowel sound. For example, he is an honest man. we don't say it as he is a honest man even H is not a vowel. In the same way we just say as a university, not an university. This was a general rule told me by one of my teachers, and it helped me a lot to understand the situations like this.
Very interesting question. Let me help you. You’re right we can use A before vowels. BUT before vowel SOUNDS not letters. An egg( because the word egg starts with the vowel sound) A university ( because there is a consonant sound /ju/) So that’s the answer, i hope it’ll help you.)
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