Re: "an SQL" vs. "a SQL" - Mailing list pgsql-hackers

From Isaac Morland
Subject Re: "an SQL" vs. "a SQL"
Date
Msg-id CAMsGm5d3p+F1Qina0E3FVF6k0JDL=Q7R7in8uDqvJa76NtpA-A@mail.gmail.com
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In response to Re: "an SQL" vs. "a SQL"  (Gavin Flower <GavinFlower@archidevsys.co.nz>)
Responses Re: "an SQL" vs. "a SQL"
List pgsql-hackers
On Thu, 10 Jun 2021 at 16:11, Gavin Flower <GavinFlower@archidevsys.co.nz> wrote:
On 11/06/21 2:48 am, Isaac Morland wrote:
 
> “A MIT …”? As far as I know it is pronounced M - I - T, which would
> imply that it should use “an”. The following page seems believable and
> is pretty unequivocal on the issue:
>
> https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/como_se_dice/
> <https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/como_se_dice/>
>
The rule is, in English, is that if the word sounds like it starts with
a vowel then use 'an' rather than 'a'.  Though some people think that
the rule only applies to words beginning with a vowel, which is a
misunderstanding.

So 'an SQL' and 'an MIT'  are correct.   IMHO

Right, spelling is irrelevant, it's about whether the word begins with a vowel *sound*. Or so I've always understood and I'm pretty sure if you listen to what people actually say that's what you'll generally hear. So "A uranium mine" not "An uranium mine" since "uranium" begins with a "y-" sound just like "yesterday". The fact that "u" is a vowel is irrelevant. But then there is "an historic occasion" so go figure.

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