Author: jeremy ardley Date: To: dng Subject: Re: [DNG] OT: helpful hints to avoid a frequent spelling error (Re:
system update)
On 18/8/23 14:16, Manfred Wassmann via Dng wrote: > Actually the a/an rule seems pretty straightforward to me when
> 1. you are aware it's the sound that matters not the written initial letter
> 2. you read it aloud, at least in your head (and that's why I got it
> wrong here at first)
> and I think it's rather useful as it sounds a bit like stutter if you
> get it wrong.
English has a number of words where the initial letter migrated to
attach to the preceding 'a'
e.g.
An umpire <-- a noumpere
An orange <-- a norange
An egg <-- a negg
So it would be accurate but anachronistic to talk about having a negg
with a norange drink for breakfast