A university or an University (2024)

A university or an University (1)

Hemalatha

6 Answers

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A university or an University (2)

Preksha

English Tutor

Certified tutor with a TEFL Certificate

Good question, Hemalatha!

So, we know that the English vowels are 'a, e, i, o, u', right? And most of the times we use 'an' in front of words with vowels.

However, 'university' when said out loud, sounds like 'yew-niversity', which becomes a non-vowel phonetic (sounding) word. That's why we write or say 'a university' and not 'an university'.

I know, English can be confusing, but hopefully this answered your question! :)

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A university or an University (3)

Maryam

English Tutor

Certified tutor and teach for more 20 years of experience.

We say A university, because the sound /u/ here is read as with /j/ (consonant sound) not/u/ ( vowel sound). View my profile, I can teach you more about sounds because this needs listening and watching more than writing. Thank you.

A university or an University (5)

Christian

English Tutor

Are you ready to embark on an exciting English learning journey and elevate your proficiency with confidence? TEFL-certified English tutor with 4 years experience.

The correct expression is; a university because the U in the word is what most English speakers hear as a U sound but it’s led by a consonant sound Y.

A university or an University (6)

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A university or an University (7)

Zalina

English Tutor

Certified tutor with 15 years of experience

Hello!a universityif the beginning sound is /ju:/, we use the article 'a'if it's /a/, we use 'an'

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A university or an University (8)

Polina

English Tutor

Experienced tutor with sense of humor

Hi there!

a university will be correct.

The thing is, that in English you put 'a' article not before a consonant letter, but sound. The same is with 'an' article. It goes before vowel sound, but not letter.

Let's see:a university /j/butan umbrella /Δ/

a horse /h/butan hour /a/

A university or an University (9)

Leonah

English Tutor

Experience - EXAMS - IELTS, OET, CAEL, CELPIP, TOEFL, CAE, FCE, C2, PTE, PSAT, DIGITAL SAT, TOEIC, APTIS, GMAT, DUOLINGO. BUSINESS, INTERVIEWS, GENERAL ENGLISH..

Hi HemalathaPlease check for more information here:https://preply.com/en/question/what-is-the-correct-a-univercity-or-an-univercity-65098Best Regards

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A university or an University (10)

Payal

Certified Tutor with 10 Years of Teaching Experience

The basic rule as to when to use “A” or “AN” depends on the SOUND at the start of the following word.Use “A” for words with a consonant SOUNDUse “AN” for words with a vowel SOUNDThink about the SOUND (PRONUNCIATION), not the SPELLING.

Word University ...initial sound is just like (you - niversity) where sound of y is there with is a consonant sound.

a + consonant SOUNDThe following words start with a consonant SOUND

a universitya uniforma unicorn

an + vowel SOUNDThe following words start with a vowel SOUND

an unchinan umbrellaan ugly

hope

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A university or an University (11)

Abigirl

English Tutor

Experienced, Friendly TEFL Certified tutor, FCE ( B2 first) C1 Advanced (CAE) Linguaskill, Conversational English, Business English, travel English from beginner…

If the first letter of a word is vowel, but sounds like a consonant , we use 'a'In this case it will be ** a university**'Also a used cara uniform

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A university or an University (2024)

FAQs

A university or an University? ›

The correct expression is; a university because the U in the word is what most English speakers hear as a U sound but it's led by a consonant sound Y.

What is correct, a university or an university? ›

a university is correct. Though the first letter of the word is vowel yet instead of article (an ) , article (a) is used as the pronunciation of the letter (u) is ( u )and according to rule instead of (an) ,( a) will be used.

Would it be a university or an university? ›

It's "a university!" Use the article "a" before the sound of a consonant. The word "university" starts with the vowel "u" but the first letter is pronounced like a "y." Therefore, you treat the word as if it starts with a consonant.

Can I use a before university? ›

"University" is a singular countable noun. Although it begins with a vowel, the first sound of the word is /j/ or “y.” Thus, "a" instead of "an" is used.

Why should we use an article before university? ›

'A' is used before words starting with a consonent sound. 'university' sounds like you-niversity, that is why 'a' is used. Even if it starts with a vowel, it actually starts with a consonent sound. 'honesty' sounds like o-nesty, so 'an' is used even though it starts with a consonent.

Why do we say a university and not an university? ›

So, we know that the English vowels are 'a, e, i, o, u', right? And most of the times we use 'an' in front of words with vowels. However, 'university' when said out loud, sounds like 'yew-niversity', which becomes a non-vowel phonetic (sounding) word. That's why we write or say 'a university' and not 'an university'.

Is it a hotel or an hotel? ›

Both “a hotel” and “an hotel” are correct, but “a hotel” is more commonly used. The use of “an” before “hotel” is based on the pronunciation of the word. If the “h” in “hotel” is silent, as it is in some dialects or accents, then “an hotel” would be appropriate.

Is it an orange or a orange? ›

Which is correct: “a orange” or “an orange”? An orange. an orange... “an” is used before any word whose first sound is a vowel, usually words whose spelling begins with a vowel letter (a,e,I,o,u). an orange is correct.

Is it a uniform or an uniform? ›

A uniform is correct". Explanation: Though the word “Uniform" starts with U which is a vowel but when you pronounce the word" Uniform “ the sound is of Y which is a consonant. So, An is incorrect. A is the correct article to use with Uniform.

Is it an umbrella or a umbrella? ›

With words such as 'umbrella', 'ice cream' and 'apple' you have to use “an umbrella”, “an ice cream” and “an apple”. Unfortunately there are some exceptions to this rule too. When 'u' makes the same sound as the 'y' in “you”, or 'o' makes the same sound as 'w' in “won” then you should use 'a'.

Is it an hour or an hour? ›

A and an are different forms of the indefinite article. Words where the “h” is silent, such as honor or honest, use “an” instead of “a.” Since the “h” in “hour” is silent, it is “an hour” instead of “a hour.”

Is it a union or an 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). Remember, when deciding whether to use “a” or “an”, it is the sound, not the spelling, which is important.

When to use a or an? ›

Use a when the noun or adjective that comes next begins with a consonant sound. Use an when the noun or adjective that comes next begins with a vowel sound. Remember that what matters is the pronunciation, not the spelling. Here are some examples of the article a followed by words that begin with consonant sounds.

Do you put the before a university? ›

The general practice seems to be this: if the name of the university comes before the word "university," don't use "the": Oxford University, Columbia University, Simon Fraser University. If the name follows "university of," it will usually need "the": He attended the University of Southern California.

What articles are used before university? ›

Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known.

Which preposition is used before university? ›

The preposition 'at' is used to indicate location or position, and it is commonly used with institutions, such as universities, colleges, and schools. When used with the noun 'university', the phrase 'at university' indicates that someone is a student or employee of a specific university.

Is it a uncle or an uncle? ›

An uncle and an aunt. Explanation: Article an is correct because in the words uncle and aunt, 'u' and 'a' are vowels. An is used before a vowel and A is used before a consonant.

Which is correct, a house or an house? ›

Answer: A house is correct because a house is a conman noun.

Is it a umbrella or an umbrella? ›

With words such as 'umbrella', 'ice cream' and 'apple' you have to use “an umbrella”, “an ice cream” and “an apple”. Unfortunately there are some exceptions to this rule too. When 'u' makes the same sound as the 'y' in “you”, or 'o' makes the same sound as 'w' in “won” then you should use 'a'.

When to use a or an before a word? ›

A and an are different forms of the same word, the indefinite article that often precedes a noun. A is used before a noun that starts with a consonant sound (e.g., “s,” “t,” “v”). An is used before a noun that starts with a vowel sound (e.g., “a,” “o,” “i”).

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