Calling All Grammar Nerds

[Deleted User] · July 2015

I'm a bit of a grammar nerd, but don't know the answer to this question. Yes, I could probably google the answer, but I'm bored!

With a few exceptions "a" is the modifier used with words that begin with consonants, and "an" is used with words that begin with vowels (except in words like unicorn).

So "she is a great mom" and "she is an awesome mom."

When you use an acronym like MOH, do you say, "What's a MOH?" or do you say "What's an MOH?"? M is a consonant, but the sound you make to pronounce "M" starts with vowel sound.

Which is right?

Am I even making sense?

ETF: missing word

lachattefatale · July 2015

You use the modifier that is correct for the spoken word, not the written. So it would be an MOH (em), and a uvula (yoo).

NowIAmSyp · July 2015

LOL! I totally just said the sentence out loud several times- "what's an MOH?"

And I said "an".

My poor coworkers

redheadbride15 · July 2015

I looked this up once in the Chicago Manual of Style (the grammar bible, for those who don't know it) because I use acronyms all the time at work.

The correct way would be "an MOH", assuming you are saying "em-oh-aych" and not "maid of honor" when you're reading it out loud.

TrixieJess · July 2015

I would say an MOH. However, I also write an hour.

[Deleted User] · July 2015

redheadbride15 said: I looked this up once in the Chicago Manual of Style (the grammar bible, for those who don't know it) because I use acronyms all the time at work.

The correct way would be "an MOH", assuming you are saying "em-oh-aych" and not "maid of honor" when you're reading it out loud.

ETA: BOXES

Interesting. My gut response was "a" because MOH is an acronym and you wouldn't say "an maid of honor."

ShesSoCold · July 2015

I will only listen to @AddieCake on this matter.

novella1186 · July 2015

lachattefatale said:

You use the modifier that is correct for the spoken word, not the written. So it would be an MOH (em), and a uvula (yoo).

This.

AddieCake · July 2015

@TrixieJess AN hour is correct because the h is silent. As for this, I always say AN MOH because when I read it, I say EM OH H in my head as opposed to Maid Of Honor, much like AN FBI agent is EFF Bee Eye.

[Deleted User] · July 2015

Isn't English just lovely?

[Deleted User] · July 2015

abcdevonn said:

Isn't English just lovely?

Quite lov-er-ly.

lovesclimbing · July 2015

I say "a moh" but that's because in my head I say "a mow" as in "mow the lawn," not "an em-oh-aych" If I spelled out the acronym, I would certainly use "an."