Words Commonly Confused and Correct Usage

a vs. an Rule. Use a when the first letter of the word following has the sound of a consonant. Keep in mind that some vowels sound like consonants when they’re sounded out as individual letters. Examples: a finger a hotel a U-turn (pronounced You-turn) Rule. Use an when the first letter of the word following has the sound of a vowel. Remember that some consonants sound like vowels when they’re spoken as individual letters. Examples: an FBI case (F is pronounced ef here) an honor (H is silent here) an unusual idea