tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Does anyone know for sure how to link to an abbreviation? So for example, people usually say "He's an RAF officer.". But I'm sure it's supposed to be "He's a RAF officer.". I thought the fact that it was abbreviated was irrelevant, so it should be said in the same way as if it wasn't abbreviated (ie: "He's a Royal Air Force officer."). Anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboBrett Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Does anyone know for sure how to link to an abbreviation? So for example, people usually say "He's an RAF officer.". But I'm sure it's supposed to be "He's a RAF officer.". I thought the fact that it was abbreviated was irrelevant, so it should be said in the same way as if it wasn't abbreviated (ie: "He's a Royal Air Force officer."). Anyone know? from what i can remember a "N" is added to the and of an "A" if the letter following the "A" is a vowel eg: *an elephant *a snake i am dyslectic and i have to think about stuff like that when writing:( lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 an Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 from what i can remember a "N" is added to the and of an "A" if the letter following the "A" is a vowel eg: *an elephant *a snake i am dyslectic and i have to think about stuff like that when writing:( lol Yeah I know that, so because you pronounce the letter 'R' as if it were spelt 'arr', does that mean you should have an 'n' on the end of the link word? Or does the fact that it's an abbreviation mean you should count it as if the full word (in my example; Royal) were being used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDriver Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 from what i can remember a "N" is added to the and of an "A" if the letter following the "A" is a vowel Seems correct like this A Supra An Elise EDIT:too late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 an Just because you're god that doesn't make it right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboBrett Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Advice on careers as an RAF officer, including armed forces training requirements and job prospects. a quote for the RAF;) careers site:d lol i dont know:taped: i think it is something to do with the saying: an RAF officer shouldn't it be an officer in the RAF? and the whole phrase is an abbreviation, i hope some one can clear this up because its bugging me:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Yeah EVERYONE says it should be 'an', but I'm certain that's just one of those things that people have adopted which isn't actually correct. A bit like saying "A myriad of something." grrrrr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Yeah EVERYONE says it should be 'an', but I'm certain that's just one of those things that people have adopted which isn't actually correct. A bit like saying "A myriad of something." grrrrr. I also say "an" - but I also thought you were correct, and that gramatically it should be "a RAF". I also thought that the abbreviation was not supposed to change "a" to "an", even though everybody always does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Well apparently: An should be used before a word beginning with a vowel sound (an egg, an umbrella, an MP) or an h if, and only if, the h is silent (an honorary degree). But a European, a university, a U-turn, a hospital, a hotel. Historical is an exception: it is preceded by an, the h remaining silent. So it IS the sound that's important and not just the letter used. Unless this is a modern piece and the true way to do it is as I said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Does anyone know for sure how to link to an abbreviation? So for example, people usually say "He's an RAF officer.". But I'm sure it's supposed to be "He's a RAF officer.". I thought the fact that it was abbreviated was irrelevant, so it should be said in the same way as if it wasn't abbreviated (ie: "He's a Royal Air Force officer."). Anyone know? Damn you Good question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Blimey I'm glad there was an answer at the end of this, I'm pretty good with grammar but there are some bits that I just don't know - like your initial post!! So it's a vowel sound. Interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Well apparently: So it IS the sound that's important and not just the letter used. Unless this is a modern piece and the true way to do it is as I said! Hmm. How does the style guide cover something like " a eulogy " An eulogy would be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Just because you're god that doesn't make it right. Yes it does As "R.A.F." is not a word in itself the letters should be considered to be written as spelt. So that should be... An ar ei eff officer. "An" should be used when preceding vowel sounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 Yes it does As "R.A.F." is not a word in itself the letters should be considered to be written as spelt. So that should be... An ar ei eff officer. "An" should be used when preceding vowel sounds. Well I know that now smart arse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 A bit like saying "A myriad of something." grrrrr. That one bugs me too - no-one seems to know that the word contains 'of' already!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 A bit like saying "A myriad of something." grrrrr. No, using myriad as an adjective (in English) is acceptable too. A bit like me using the term "spelt" earlier, when the regular past-tense form of the word is "spelled". I don't like "spelled", but spelt is still perfectly acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Seems like a good reason to use this picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 It's basically 'an' if the proceeding word begins in a vowel, 'a' if the proceeding word other. Apart from one exception - the letter H. So - I'm going to book a room in a hotel - is incorrect. I'm going to book a room in an hotel - is correct. Sounds strange doesn't it? The correct ways would be - A RAF officer, or.... An officer in the RAF. *tries not to rant about the new Bond film title... A Quantum of Solace... grrr... Quantum isn't an amount!!* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 It's basically 'an' if the proceeding word begins in a vowel, 'a' if the proceeding word other. Apart from one exception - the letter H. So - I'm going to book a room in a hotel - is incorrect. I'm going to book a room in an hotel - is correct. Sounds strange doesn't it? Yes because it's wrong. The exception with the letter 'H' is only for words in which the 'H' is silent. For example, the word honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 Yes because it's wrong. The exception with the letter 'H' is only for words in which the 'H' is silent. For example, the word honest. I think we're both right in a sense... The reason people use an is because the first syllable is unstressed in hotel, much like the word hierloom or historic. If the first syllable is stressed like in hospital or househusband, then you can only use a. So, if you use a or an, you are technically right! http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutgrammar/hotel?view=uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 23, 2008 Author Share Posted September 23, 2008 No, using myriad as an adjective (in English) is acceptable too. I just found that out as well, that must have changed due to usage though. A bit like me using the term "spelt" earlier, when the regular past-tense form of the word is "spelled". I don't like "spelled", but spelt is still perfectly acceptable. I changed that when I was writing it, wondered if anyone would say anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 *tries not to rant about the new Bond film title... A Quantum of Solace... grrr... Quantum isn't an amount!!* It is an amount, it's the smallest discrete amount of any quantity. Being the smallest possible amount it's debatable whether or not using "a quantum" is acceptable. I would say not, and indeed the film makers appear to agree with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 So, if you use a or an, you are technically right! Only if you're a cockney and drop your H's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseys Posted September 23, 2008 Share Posted September 23, 2008 It is an amount, it's the smallest discrete amount of any quantity. Being the smallest possible amount it's debatable whether or not using "a quantum" is acceptable. I would say not, and indeed the film makers appear to agree with me. Will hold my hands up entirely there, I'm in the wrong I should've looked at the dictionary. After reading 'Does God Play Dice?' the word still seemed like... an idea or branch of physics, rather than a measurement. I'll have a quantum of humble pie please. Probably why I failed English GCSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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