A and an are two forms of the same article, and the choice depends on the first sound of the next word, not the first letter: a book, an apple. That's why it's an hour: the h is silent, so the word starts with a vowel sound. And that's why it's a university: the u is pronounced like “you”, so the word starts with a consonant sound, the same as in yes.
a or an — can you pick the right one?
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a + consonant sound: a book, a university, a one-way ticket; an + vowel sound: an apple, an hour, an MBA
- I'll be there in an hour, so please start the meeting without me.
- She studies at a university in Edinburgh and works part-time in a bookshop.
- It was an honest mistake, so nobody was angry with him.
What changed
First versionMy brother is studying at an university in Canada.
RevisionMy brother is studying at a university in Canada.
The rule “an before a vowel” is really about sounds, not letters. University begins with a “you” sound, which starts with a consonant, as in yes, so you need a. It's the same with a useful tip and a European country.
With abbreviations, listen to how the first letter is pronounced. It's an MBA, because M is said “em” and starts with a vowel sound. It's a UK company, because U sounds like “you”. For example: She has an MBA from a UK university.
Your turn
The flight was delayed, so we had to wait for ___ hour at the airport.
Show the answer
an — In hour the h isn't pronounced, so the word begins with a vowel sound. That's why it's an hour. A would be right if the h were pronounced, as in a house or a hotel.
Describe your typical working or study day. Use an hour and one more phrase where the article depends on the sound, not the letter: a university, a useful or an honest.
I spend an hour on the train every morning because I work at a university on the other side of the city.
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