The English language is crazy.... <br />i love grammar although i'm just a country boy who skated through high school english. i did badly. i was proud to have passed the regents exam on first try. <br />but i like to spell words, and i love the english language. heck its all i know, other than some swear words in spanish & german...isn't it wonderful that we have sooo many words for every nuance of a feeling? <br /><br />but i was wondering, the other day, about the 'a' versus 'an', and i can't find my good ole collegiate dictionary. i think it depends on the [pronunciation] of the beginning letter... i'm very curious. i think it would be "a university"[YouNiversity] and "an umbrella"[UhhmBrella]...<br /><br />kewl stuff<br /><br /> (edited) <br />i guess its a hobby for me, and most people feel its a burden to spell something... the other day i was typing up an email, and i wrote "she is an LPN" and then wondered what is right... (and you guys are thinking - get a life!) hehehe 
lol ..Happy New Year... guys..................wayne & denise
<br /><br /> Then there are variances between Standard American English and Standard British English...<br />Some people say an, not a, before words beginning with h is the first syllable is unstressed...<br /> <br />an hotel (but a hotel is more common)<br />an historic occasion ( a historic... is more common).<br /><br /> There's an expression in English that goes "I asked you for the time and you built me a watch". I hope this isn't the case and I didn't overkill with the answer to your question.<br /><br />JB,<br /><br /> Nice evasive tatic. You changed the active sentence to the passive; thereby, changing the subject in the active to the object in the passive. Well done... <br /><br />To all,<br /><br />¿You may be asking... Why is Warhorse rambling on with grammar? Reason -- I had a long nap after lunch today and have met the new year energized.<br />My family and I are thankful for many things that we found during our journey through 2002. And we wish all of you the best of health and happiness in 2003.<br /><br />Warhorse <br /><br />to me, that's really getting into the pride of being/knowing english. which is the language i was brought up to learn...<br />not meant in a derogatory fashion, just part of my heritage. and i enjoy learning of others'.
and as you well know, we don't often beat a dead horse in this forum... lmao<br /><br />and furthermore (i'm fancy,eh?), mr warhorse:<br />i wish you a wonderful day/night to celebrate the newyears here in USofA! <br /><br />i'm currently listening to the sounds of my daughter & niece in the tub singing, and i might just break out the fireworks i covertly obtained during my last trip to the GA/TN line...<br /><br /> (edited after ob's comments) <br />i'm not going to up this on account of that post, since it should be on top! but just wanted to say- ok, i give. but i saw it first...i think! lol
. <br />I knew about 'a university'. I have a 13 year old boy who is learning english at that level right now. I just found out why the other week. I really appreciated your reply. Thanks. We all learn something everyday, right guys? <br />"The choice between a and an depends on the pronunciation of the following word, not spelling."<br /><br />Hmm, Madrid... That's Europe! Welcome to this side of the pond.
Just kiddin' Sloopy.. <br /><br />Happy New Year to all....
<br /><br />We saw SPAM and deleted it. Topic closed, the -end!
