A or An University?

[Trader]

Which is correct: A university or An university?

A university 'sounds' correct but An university 'seems' correct.

[Bronco]

A university.

[Trader]

Do you know why is use a "A" rather an "An?"

[Bronco]

I don't know the exact reason, but probably because it is pronounced as if it starts with a "Y".

Other examples would be: a union, a united, a unique, a uniform, etc. I don't know of any examples of such words that begin with other vowels.

[Admin]

Any liberal arts major?

[Sweetyb]

It's "A" because "University" starts with a vowel.

i.e. consonants: a can; a number; a bottle
vowels: an animal; an ice cube; an envelope

[Admin]

Originally Posted by Sweetyb

It's "A" because "University" starts with a vowel.

i.e. vowels: a can; a number; a bottle
consonants: an animal; an ice cube; an envelope

Isn't a U, a vowel? (i.e. A, E, I, O, and U)
Therefore, an University (although a university seems correct)? Just checking.

[vipz]

Originally Posted by KayCee

Isn't a U, a vowel? (i.e. A, E, I, O, and U)
Therefore, an University (although a university seems correct)? Just checking.

It's "a university." The spelling does not really matter - it's the pronounciation, just like how we say "an hour" and not "a hour" even though "hour" begins with an H

[Young Entrepreneur]

Originally Posted by vipz

It's "a university." The spelling does not really matter - it's the pronounciation, just like how we say "an hour" and not "a hour" even though "hour" begins with an H

Damn, I've never learned that in high school.
Same goes for the A University. Good stuff.

[Sweetyb]

Originally Posted by KayCee

Isn't a U, a vowel? (i.e. A, E, I, O, and U)
Therefore, an University (although a university seems correct)? Just checking.

Hee hee hee, I got a little ahead of myself there... I switched the vowel example with the consonant one! I fixed it now So yes, "U" is a vowel

[Steven]

Originally Posted by Sweetyb

It's "A" because "University" starts with a vowel.

i.e. consonants: a can; a number; a bottle
vowels: an animal; an ice cube; an envelope

Your post is still wrong. You correctly conclude that the correct phrase is "a university", but your reasoning is totally false. By your reasoning, since the word "university" starts with a vowel, you would have to use the phrase "an university".

[jamarquez]

Well, there is your typical college education for ya'll.

An University (by the "rules" i would think this is right)
A University (this sounds so much better)

Put it in a sentence to see if it sounds right.

"An University in California has buildings"
"A University in California has buldings" <=== Sounds Good to me

[Steven]

Originally Posted by jamarquez

Well, there is your typical college education for ya'll.

An University (by the "rules" i would think this is right)
A University (this sounds so much better)

Put it in a sentence to see if it sounds right.

"An University in California has buildings"
"A University in California has buldings" <=== Sounds Good to me

What makes you think that the first is correct by the '"rules"'? The correct phrase is "a university". Although "university" begins with the letter "u", which is a vowel, it is pronounced as beginning with "y", which is a consonant.

[jamarquez]

Originally Posted by Steven

What makes you think that the first is right? The correct phrase is "a university". Although "university" begins with the letter "u", which is a vowel, it is pronounced as beginning with "y", which is a consonant.

That is what i said? ? A university, sounds right? Because when you write and when you use an "a" in your story or essay or whatever, you have to have "an" if the following word starts with a vowel.

[Steven]

Originally Posted by jamarquez

That is what i said? ? A university, sounds right? Because when you write and when you use an "a" in your story or essay or whatever, you have to have "an" is the following word starts with a vowel.

You said "An University (by the "rules" i would think this is right)".

I don't understand your last sentence. Can you please correct the syntax?

[jamarquez]

Originally Posted by Steven

You said "An University (by the "rules" i would think this is right)".

I don't understand your last sentence. Can you please correct the syntax?

By the "Rules" i mean:

"an" is used for words with vowels... an ant, an elephant, an ice cube, an organ.

I know the exeptions: a university, a unique item

anyways i g2g for now....I got school 2maro and I have to go run before I sleep.

[Admin]

Originally Posted by jamarquez

anyways i g2g for now....I got school 2maro and I have to go run before I sleep.

Are you running to get in shape, member of a running team, or participating in the L.A. Marathon?

[jamarquez]

Originally Posted by KayCee

Are you running to get in shape, member of a running team, or participating in the L.A. Marathon?

I'm running to get back into shape...over the summer i gained a little extra...I bought an XBOX and my phyiscal activity level went DOWN.

[KaosTheory]

A and An are based on pronounciation of the first syllable. If something is awkward with one (an university, very clumsy, for example) the other is used.

[zoedragon]

This is probably why I've seen both "a history" and "an history". Some people don't pronounce the H.