Grammar question

[kylejn]

When typing a sentence with an abbreviation, do you determine whether you type "a" or "an" before the abbreviation by the pronunciation of the abbreviation or what it stands for? For example:

"I'm going to post an SS in the Desktops thread."

SS stands for "screenshot," but when reading it to yourself, you think (or at least I do), "ess ess" rather than "screenshot."

Should it be "an" for "ess ess" or "a" for "screenshot"?

[evo0o]

I'd go for 'a'.

[Dejon]

I usally use "an" before a vowel.

[dw2003]

Only use an for vowels, as eg: an apple. In the case of the screenshot 'S' is not a vowel, therefore no 'an' is necessary.

[jak0bk]

You don't only use an for vowels, but also vowel sounds. e.g. It's an hour until 6 p.m.

EDIT: Wow, I learned something. Apparently, it is "an," because you are actually pronouncing "ess" and not the "s sound."

http://cctc2.commnet.edu/grammar/abbreviations.htm#acronyms

Edited September 30, 2005 by jak0bk

[E t h a n]

It's simple: read it out loud, and you'll know whether to use an 'a' or an 'an'. :rofl:

[Litespeed]

"hour" is a vowel.

In the particular case of "a SS' or "an SS" the second flows better in speech.

[jak0bk]

"A SS" is not correct. It is never correct. "SS" starts with a vowel sound "eh" followed by the "s sound."

[underground_park]

[sorry for out of topic]

somepeople i know told me that the foreigner dont care bout the grammar much when they speak is it true ?

just curious bout my fav language :)

[BigCheese]

This is also slightly off topic, but is it correct to say "a historian" or "an historian".

I've always thought "an historian" is correct, but my history teacher doesn't seem to think so.