Why do we say a university but an umbrella?

For example, it's 'an umbrella' and 'an undertaking' because both 'umbrella' and 'undertaking' start with 'uh' sounds for the vowel 'u'. However, it's 'a universe' and 'a uniform' because 'uniform' is pronounced with a 'y' sound (yuniform). The same is true for words like utensil, university and unique.
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Why don't we say an university?

The U in university is pronounced with a long 'u' sound which sounds like 'yew' and is written as j in the phonetic alphabet. So, although the letter is a vowel, it is not pronounced like one in 'university' because it does not have a vowel sound. We therefore say 'a university'.
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Why do we say a unit instead of an unit?

an depends on the pronunciation of the word, not the spelling. There are only few words in the English that are exceptions to this general rule. It's "a" when the word starts with a sound of a consonant (e.g. a unit = yoonit). It's "an" when it starts with a vowel sound (e.g. an M.B.A.
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Is it correct to say the university?

The usual form is either "the University of X" or "Y University". – Damkerng T. see ELU: Definite article before schools, colleges, and universities. Also it's "a university", not "an university", because the first syllable is pronounced "you" and that initial "y" sound is not considered a vowel.
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Should we use a or an before unit?

'A' versus 'An'

'A' is used before words that start with consonant sounds (“a sample” or “a model”), even if the consonant sound is made by a vowel (“a unit”). Conversely, 'an' is used before words that start with vowel sounds (“an equation” or “an element”), even if the word starts with a silent consonant (“an hour”).
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An university? A university? An umbrella or A umbrella Use of ARTICLE before words starting with 'U'



Why do we say an hour instead of an hour?

Should You Use 'A' or 'An'? So to answer Matt's question, “an hour” is correct, because “hour” starts with a vowel sound. People seem to ask most often about words that start with the letters H and U because sometimes these words start with vowel sounds and sometimes they start with consonant sounds.
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Is it a unicorn or is it an unicorn?

Unicorn doesn't follow the pattern because, when you say it, it doesn't start with a vowel. It starts with a consonant. The sound “yu” is a consonant, so we say, “a unicorn.”
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Is it an orange or an orange?

The word 'orange' starts with a vowel, therefore, an article 'an' is used. Therefore, the word 'a, a, an' should be used. Hence, the correct answer is 'a, a, an.
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Which is correct a umbrella or an umbrella?

“Hour” begins with a consonant, but the “h” is silent. The first sound that is pronounced is a vowel, so “an” is used. “Umbrella” begins with a vowel sound, but the adjective “blue” appears between “umbrella” and the indefinite article, and “blue” begins with a consonant sound. For that reason, “a” is used.
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Is it an egg or a egg?

Explanation: this is an egg, is the correct answer!
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Is it a eucalyptus or an eucalyptus?

It's a eucalyptus.

We use a or an based on the sound, not the spelling, made by the initial letter of the word that follows. Do you know how to grow a eucalyptus tree? The term “eucalyptus” begins with a vowel that makes a consonant sound (a “you” sound); thus, we use the indefinite article "a".
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Which is correct an union or a union?

It's a union. We use “a” with nouns that start with a consonant sound. Sometimes, as in the case of “union”, a word begins with the vowel “u” in the spelling, but with a consonant in the pronunciation (you).
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Is an eagle correct?

So, we are talking about 'eagle' in general and not pointing out to a specific eagle here. Thus, we need to use an indefinite article and since the word 'eagle' begins with a vowel sound, we should use the indefinite article 'an'.
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Is it an elephant or an elephant?

1 Answer. An Elephant. Any time a word starts with a vowel, (A, E, I, O, U) then its An, if the word starts with a continent, then it is A.
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Can any school call itself a university?

In the U.S. it depends on the state. In some states, you can only call yourself a university if you are legally licensed as such in that state. In other states it does not matter. In some states you must be accredited, but not in all states.
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Is it a apple or an apple?

With words such as 'umbrella', 'ice cream' and 'apple' you have to use “an umbrella”, “an ice cream” and “an apple”.
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Is it an ox or a ox?

An ox /ˈɒks/ (PL: oxen, /ˈɒksən/), also known as a bullock (in BrE, AusE, and IndE), is a male bovine trained and used as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration inhibits testosterone and aggression, which makes the males docile and safer to work with.
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What is correct a eraser or an eraser?

correct sentence is - that is an eraser

the second sentence is wrong grammatically. we use article before a noun, the article - " an " is used before the nouns which start with a vowel . there are five vowels - a, e, i , o and u. the noun in the above sentence is eraser which starts with the vowel "e".
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Is it a kite or an kite?

A kite is an object, usually used as a toy, which is flown in the air. It consists of a light frame covered with paper or cloth and has a long string attached which you hold while the kite is flying.
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Do we say an hospital or a hospital?

It's a hospital.

We use a or an based on the sound made by the initial letter of the following word—not how it is spelled. Since "hospital" begins with a consonant sound (the "h" is sounded), it takes the article "a". She will stay in a hospital ward. She will stay in an hospital ward.
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Is it an onion or a onion?

Option B is correct as Onion having a vowel sound goes with 'An'.
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Which is correct an owl or a owl?

A is used before all words except those beginning with a vowel sound. Before those beginning with a vowel sound an is used. and owl”). Generally it is better to repeat the article in each case, whether or not it is the same.
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What does 🦄 mean in texting?

Given the unicorn's allusions to 1980–90s nostalgia, fun and bright colors, and overall feeling of magic, the unicorn face emoji is also to used convey a whimsical, playful, innocent, or happy tone in an internet or text message.
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Is it correct to say an hour or a hour?

You should say, 'an hour' (because hour begins with a vowel sound) and 'a history' (because history begins with a consonant sound). You should say 'a union' even if union begins with a 'u'. This is because the pronunciation begins with 'yu', a consonant sound.
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Is it a octopus or an octopus?

An octopus (PL: octopuses or octopodes, see below for variants) is a soft-bodied, eight-limbed mollusc of the order Octopoda (/ɒkˈtɒpədə/, ok-TOP-ə-də). The order consists of some 300 species and is grouped within the class Cephalopoda with squids, cuttlefish, and nautiloids.
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