A question about the universe.

[LostInAnomie]

Using proper grammar whenever a word begins with a vowel you should use an "an" in front of it instead of an "a". Why does this not work for the "universe" or "universal"?

"I created an universe in my fishtank."
"He has an universal knowledge about stuff."

It just doesn't sound right... Dammit!!!

[Droopy]

1. I thought your question was going to entail

deep thoughts about the nature of our existence. I might be able to help to out in that regard, but I don't have an answer for this question.

[LostInAnomie]

2. Yeah I know

Nobody would have looked if I would have titled it "Grammar Question"

[DieboldMustDie]

6. And nobody would have come to rescue you...

if you hollered "chocolate!" ;)

[LostInAnomie]

10. They would...

if I yelled "Help Me!!! With all this Chocolate!!!"

[Syrinx]

3. Because the 'U' sounds like a 'Y'

Even though 'Y' is sometimes considered a vowel? :shrug:

[LostInAnomie]

7. Sounds like a "U" to me

Yep, long "U".

[Syrinx]

8. it's got a little 'Y' action going too

[parasim]

4. Weird the other way too...

"He is an honest person."
"It is an halibut."

goofy language...

[Book Lover]

5. Sound, not spelling

The choice between "a" and "an" is determined by the sound of the following word; "universe" begins with a non-vowel sound.

on edit: the letter "y" represents different sounds, both vowel and consonant; has to do with the history of the orthography of English.

[Dookus]

9. easy...

It's not about letters - it's about sounds.

"Universe" begins with a consonant sound: y

Conversely, "H" is a consonant, but "honor" begins with a vowel sound, and thus "an honor".

[LostInAnomie]

11. That may be...

but I will refuse to listen to your answer because you stole "My cat's breath smells like cat food" from me the other day.

[Dookus]

12. heheh...

ya gotta type fast around here.

[LostInAnomie]

13. I'll get you....

someday. Revenge is a dish best served cold.:evilgrin:

[Eccho]

14. Where does this rule come from?

Off the top of my head, I can think of examples like: "Let's get an early start".


Also: "It's a universal idea that the moon orbits the earth."