I'm derailing this showerthought to point out that I think it should be "a unique", not "an unique". Say both out loud. Now you might think that doesn't make sense, because unique starts with a vowel. But not so fast! "Unique" is well... unique... because the "u" is actually pronounced like a "y". The "a vs an" decision is actually an issue of consonant/vowel sound and not literally whether it's a vowel or a consonant in the first letter of the following word. Remember the old list of vowels? a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y? This is one of those sometimes moments. Y sometimes behaves like a vowel, but for the "a vs an" decision, it behaves like a consonant. You wouldn't say "an yellow shirt". You'd say "a yellow shirt". And "unique" has the same sound at its start as "yellow" does.
14 Comments
Gray@lemmy.ca · 35 pts · 3y
I'm derailing this showerthought to point out that I think it should be "a unique", not "an unique". Say both out loud. Now you might think that doesn't make sense, because unique starts with a vowel. But not so fast! "Unique" is well... unique... because the "u" is actually pronounced like a "y". The "a vs an" decision is actually an issue of consonant/vowel sound and not literally whether it's a vowel or a consonant in the first letter of the following word. Remember the old list of vowels? a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y? This is one of those sometimes moments. Y sometimes behaves like a vowel, but for the "a vs an" decision, it behaves like a consonant. You wouldn't say "an yellow shirt". You'd say "a yellow shirt". And "unique" has the same sound at its start as "yellow" does.
Legolution@vlemmy.net · 9 pts · 3y
I think you need to check yourself into an hospital and seek medical attention!
But, me too, because I agree with everything you said...
zurvan2@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 3y
This is a bad example. "Hospital" is pronounced without the leading "H" sound in some regions, so "an" would be appropriate. :(
Legolution@vlemmy.net · 1 pts · 3y
'Ence why I mentioned it! ;)
TeaHands@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 3y
This is pedantic as hell but you are not wrong!
HeavyRust@lemm.ee · 4 pts · 3y
Well you can also intuitively tell which one is right by pronouncing it.
throwsbooks@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y
Just tried it. "An oonique"... Sounds fancy.
NABDad@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 3y
Unless someone can share your eyeballs, your perspective of everything is always unique.
Kolanaki@yiffit.net · 5 pts · 3y
From my perspective, I am the exact center of the universe. 😌
NABDad@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y
Me too!!!
MargotRobbie@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 3y
NO NO FEET PICS YOU CAN'T TRICK ME THIS EASILY
KSPAtlas@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 3y
Not if I strap a gopro to my forehead
dancingdots@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y
a*
lorez@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 3y
More like a unique perspective of the universe.