Grammar

[mazdamazda]

Have a question about the use of "an".

What was taught back then was to only use "an" when the beginning letter of the proceeding word starts with a vowel.

But I read somewhere that if the proceeding word's first character is pronounced with a vowel (e.g. MMDA) you should still use "an" even though it is a consonant.

A MMDA officer apprehended me.

or

An MMDA officer apprehended me.

[RedHorse]

you're right M2

[mikey177]

What RedHorse said.

[the_wildthing]

An MMDA officer... is right.

A YMCA hotel... is right.

Your rule is right.

[carlocaraddict]

yeh Mazdamazda is right.

[JohnM]

If it sounds right then go with it.

For more tips look for the booklet by Strunk and White at the bookstore.

[IceColdBeer]

Simple and most common example is "an hour".

[ts1n1ta]

yeah tagal ko na den gusto sabihin yan ehehe.

An MMDA officer sounds so much better.

[EL Chicane]

yeah tagal ko na den gusto sabihin yan ehehe.

An MMDA officer sounds so much better.

Depende pa rin sa gamit.

Tulad halimbawa kapag tinutukoy mo yung FIA Official ng Formula 1:

"A FIA Official penalized Juan Pablo Montoya for ignoring a blue flag".

So yung sa MMDA naman, pwede ring:

"A MMDA officer apprehended me". You pronounce this as:

"A mmmm-da officer apprehended me".

(sori ha, kakabasa ko lang kse yung katulong jokes dun sa isang thread dito sa Tsikot hehe).

[mazdamazda]

Depende pa rin sa gamit.

Tulad halimbawa kapag tinutukoy mo yung FIA Official ng Formula 1:

"A FIA Official penalized Juan Pablo Montoya for ignoring a blue flag".

isn't it pronounced as EF-AY-EY?

unless you pronounce it as FI-YA (which shouldn't be the case since it is an acronym).

"A MMDA officer apprehended me". You pronounce this as:

"A mmmm-da officer apprehended me".

MMMM-DA?

isn't it pronounced as EM-EM-DI-EY?

so in both cases... the use of a vowel to pronounce the first syllable is required (and hence requires the use of "an").

[EL Chicane]

isn't it pronounced as EF-AY-EY?
unless you pronounce it as FI-YA (which shouldn't be the case since it is an acronym).

MMMM-DA?

isn't it pronounced as EM-EM-DI-EY?

so in both cases... the use of a vowel to pronounce the first syllable is required (and hence requires the use of "an").

Suri man gid, kuya.

[nicolodeon]

But I read somewhere that if the proceeding word's first character is pronounced with a vowel (e.g. MMDA) you should still use "an" even though it is a consonant.

This is correct.

[1D4LV]

hmmm. honga no?
pero sa akin ginagawa ko, i try to read it aloud. kung pangit pakinggan, malamang mali. hehehehe.

[_Cathy_]

My weakness is compound subjects

Example I get confused on whether to use makes or make because both sound right (katulad niyan sound right ba or sounds right) HAHAHA

Having my family, friends and job makes me happy.
Having my family, friends and job make me happy.

[StockEngine]

Don't use compound subjects.

It is easier to describe your happiness with examples or with elaborations.

[_Cathy_]

Don't use compound subjects.

It is easier to describe your happiness with examples or with elaborations.

Not just with happiness basta compound subjects hirap ako. Also when to use is or are kapag plural, mahirap kasi yung if it's plural but treated as singular

[StockEngine]

Not just with happiness basta compound subjects hirap ako. Also when to use is or are kapag plural, mahirap kasi yung if it's plural but treated as singular

yeah plurality is a challenge. especially now that we're in front of computers drafting all these messages LOL

[mantoy]

an ukulele

or

a ukulele?

[mazdamazda]

an ukulele

or

a ukulele?

hmmm... mukhang ganun rin pala yata for vowels... kapag pronounced as consonant yung una... dapat "a" naman ang gamitin...

hehehe... :D

[espeago]

You should use “an” before a word beginning with an “H” only if the “H” is not pronounced: “an honest effort”; it’s properly “a historic event” though many sophisticated speakers somehow prefer the sound of “an historic,” so that version is not likely to get you into any real trouble.