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Matt
"a unique" or "an unique" ??? Which is grammatically correct??
Jun 15, 2010 4:08 PM
Answers · 7
9
A unique is correct.
Why "a unique..." rather than "an unique..."?
"a" precedes words that begin with Consonant SOUNDs...[Sound not alphabet..I mean]
"an" precedes words that begin with Vowel SOUNDs...
When a "u" word is pronounced as though it begins with a "y" (yoo nique) /ju:nik/, it's treated more like the consonant sound of the y.
So, a university, a usual day,
an unusual day, an umbrella,
Moreover, "h" alphabet is the same when using an article.
e.g.
a house , a holiday ,
an hOur : the "h" in hour is silent, it sounds like the vowels "ou
June 15, 2010
5
The first one is right...cuz unique pronunces /ju:/ and /j/ is not the vowel.
June 15, 2010
3
HI.
I think that 'A unique' is correct.
'An' is used before certain vowel sounds to make them easier to say. 'An unique' is harder to say than 'A unique' so there is no reason to use it.
Just say the word with both 'a' and 'an' and decide which is easier to say.
I think that 'unique' starts with a 'Y' sound - 'you-neek' when spoken by an english native. So it is not a vowel sound. (Even though it is a vowel).
If you take a different example such as:
An umbrella. There is a vowel sound so it is easier to say 'An umbrella' than 'A umbrella'.
(snownoir makes the point well)
June 15, 2010
1
Yes, it's about the sound - not the written convention. "An" is used to make the transit between vowel sounds smoother. Same rule for "H" words: a horse, an hour...
June 15, 2010
1
It's "a unique", not "an unique". Jeannie and snownoir explain it well.
June 15, 2010
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Matt
Language Skills
English, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish
Learning Language
English, Russian, Spanish
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