Stupid question about grammar!

Aelia Jusa · 04-27-2003, 07:23 PM

If I want to say something has uniquely contributed to something, would I say 'it is making a unique contribution', or 'it is making an unique contribution'?

LOL it is so trivial but I'm running them both through my head and I can't work out which is right! A sounds fine, and you wouldn't say an union for instance (would you? [img]graemlins/reallyroll.gif[/img] ). But an is beginning to sound okay as well!

Arledrian · 04-27-2003, 07:31 PM

How pedantic! I'd guess it's the first one - "it is making a unique contribution" - it just sounds better to me [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Aelia Jusa · 04-27-2003, 07:36 PM

Pedantic? Moi? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

LOL well it's for uni; I don't want the marker to be distracted by grammatical errors that he misses all my brilliant interpretation

I dunno if I can take just your word for it though [img]tongue.gif[/img] . I need a consensus

Kakero · 04-27-2003, 07:36 PM

I was taught that unique, since the U there sounds like "you". so we use A. thus it is a unique, a university etc.

gee..I can't believe I said that.

pcgiant · 04-27-2003, 07:36 PM

You use a instead of an, but pronounce it AY instead of A.
This rule is similar to THEE instead of THE when in front of a word starting with a vowel.

EG The man went to town.
EG Thee animal went to town.

Just ask if you need a better explanation, since that might be a little vague.

Stormymystic · 04-27-2003, 07:48 PM

akkk more learning,lol but i agree use a before an in sentences requiring a presnt tense...oh did i mention i scored 117 on my iq test.....roflmao not possible for me but i did really

Mojo · 04-27-2003, 08:04 PM

I would be tempted to say "an", but then I am the kind of pedant who would say "an union," so I can't really help you....

Did you know that "bus" should be written "'bus"? You get a lot of points for that.....

EDIT: My use of the word "'bus" doesn't compare too well, so for those of you who cannot spot it, there's an apostrophe at the start of the correct version [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 04-27-2003, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Mojo ]

Seraph · 04-27-2003, 08:18 PM

From the good people at alt.usage.english, regarding "a vs an":

It's a pronounciation rule, not a spelling one..."Union", etc, are not pronounced "u-" but "yu-", thus an implied consonant and "a".

Vaskez · 04-27-2003, 08:19 PM

Well yeah let me just reinforce what others have said:

If the word following the "a" or "an" is pronounced starting with a vowel then you use "an", otherwise use "a". Seeing as "unique" is pronounced "yooneek" i.e. starting with a consonant, you use "a".

And pcgiant is right... in the same way you use "the" pronouncing the "e" like the "i" in "dirt" when the next word is pronounced with a consonant and "the" pronounced "thee" when the next word is pronounced starting with a vowel.

Damn I hate long explanations but I feel it is my civic duty

Reeka · 04-27-2003, 10:42 PM

Vaskez and pcgiant are both right. It is based on the "sound" at the beginning of the word not the letter. The reverse of that, is if you are a person the pronounces the word "herb" with a silent h, you would say an herb. It gets into elision on pronounciation. Hope that helps.

04-27-2003, 07:23 PM	#1
Aelia Jusa Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 23, 2001 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 4,867	If I want to say something has uniquely contributed to something, would I say 'it is making a unique contribution', or 'it is making an unique contribution'? LOL it is so trivial but I'm running them both through my head and I can't work out which is right! A sounds fine, and you wouldn't say an union for instance (would you? [img]graemlins/reallyroll.gif[/img] ). But an is beginning to sound okay as well! __________________

04-27-2003, 07:31 PM	#2
Arledrian Egyptian Goddess of the Dead Join Date: July 12, 2001 Location: South Carolina Age: 40 Posts: 3,771	How pedantic! I'd guess it's the first one - "it is making a unique contribution" - it just sounds better to me [img]tongue.gif[/img] __________________ Marvellous banter; I am bereft of ribs.

04-27-2003, 07:36 PM	#3
Aelia Jusa Iron Throne Cult Join Date: August 23, 2001 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 42 Posts: 4,867	Pedantic? Moi? [img]tongue.gif[/img] LOL well it's for uni; I don't want the marker to be distracted by grammatical errors that he misses all my brilliant interpretation I dunno if I can take just your word for it though [img]tongue.gif[/img] . I need a consensus __________________

04-27-2003, 07:36 PM	#5
pcgiant Symbol of Cyric Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: NZ Age: 37 Posts: 1,268	You use a instead of an, but pronounce it AY instead of A. This rule is similar to THEE instead of THE when in front of a word starting with a vowel. EG The man went to town. EG Thee animal went to town. Just ask if you need a better explanation, since that might be a little vague. __________________ If possible, I want to relive my life... not as a devil. This time, someone like you.

04-27-2003, 07:48 PM	#6
Stormymystic Knight of the Rose Join Date: April 8, 2003 Location: Arkansas Age: 48 Posts: 4,442	akkk more learning,lol but i agree use a before an in sentences requiring a presnt tense...oh did i mention i scored 117 on my iq test.....roflmao not possible for me but i did really __________________ [url]\"http://stormymystic.deviantart.com/gallery/\" target=\"_blank\"> [img]\"http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3968/stormyvx6.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /></a>

04-27-2003, 07:36 PM	#4
Kakero 40th Level Warrior Join Date: March 24, 2002 Posts: 10,215	I was taught that unique, since the U there sounds like "you". so we use A. thus it is a unique, a university etc. gee..I can't believe I said that.

04-27-2003, 08:04 PM	#7
Mojo Elminster Join Date: July 17, 2002 Location: Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK Age: 37 Posts: 451	I would be tempted to say "an", but then I am the kind of pedant who would say "an union," so I can't really help you.... Did you know that "bus" should be written "'bus"? You get a lot of points for that..... EDIT: My use of the word "'bus" doesn't compare too well, so for those of you who cannot spot it, there's an apostrophe at the start of the correct version [img]smile.gif[/img] [ 04-27-2003, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Mojo ] __________________ Say No to Cosmetics Control! And the Trouser Tyranny!<br /><br />Like Final Fantasy? -[url]\"http://forums.ragnarokextreme.net\" target=\"_blank\">Ragnarok Extreme Forums</a>!!

04-27-2003, 08:18 PM	#8
Seraph Quintesson Join Date: September 12, 2001 Location: Ewing, NJ Age: 42 Posts: 1,079	From the good people at alt.usage.english, regarding "a vs an": It's a pronounciation rule, not a spelling one..."Union", etc, are not pronounced "u-" but "yu-", thus an implied consonant and "a".

04-27-2003, 08:19 PM	#9
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Well yeah let me just reinforce what others have said: If the word following the "a" or "an" is pronounced starting with a vowel then you use "an", otherwise use "a". Seeing as "unique" is pronounced "yooneek" i.e. starting with a consonant, you use "a". And pcgiant is right... in the same way you use "the" pronouncing the "e" like the "i" in "dirt" when the next word is pronounced with a consonant and "the" pronounced "thee" when the next word is pronounced starting with a vowel. Damn I hate long explanations but I feel it is my civic duty __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

04-27-2003, 10:42 PM	#10
Reeka Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: March 2, 2001 Location: Birmingham, Alabama, USA Age: 70 Posts: 3,255	Vaskez and pcgiant are both right. It is based on the "sound" at the beginning of the word not the letter. The reverse of that, is if you are a person the pronounces the word "herb" with a silent h, you would say an herb. It gets into elision on pronounciation. Hope that helps. __________________ <b>Order of the Holy Flame</b><br /><i>Member of Clan HADB</i><br /><b>Laughing Hyena</b><br /><i>Clan Liaison, IW Peace Keeping Force</i><br /><i>[url]\"http://www.the-silver-river.com/Forum/index.php?board=29\" target=\"_blank\">The Silver River VoiceChat!</a><br />Last Saturday of every month. <br />See the forum link for scheduling!<br /><b> </b><br /></i><br /><b>Admin and Co-Owner of [url]\"http://www.the-silver-river.com\" target=\"_blank\">The Silver River</a></b><br />[url]\"http://www.the-silver-river.com\" target=\"_blank\"></a>

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