an MS66 - there is only one answer and only one reason for this and it is law.
the decision whether it should be an "a" or a "an" is predicated on the phonetic spelling of the word following the article. Since MS66 is spelled "emes" (this spelling is the phonetic spelling and sometimes uses special symbols which I can not list here) the article in front of it necessarily must be "an". The English language is the reason that this is a rule. It is very difficult in in efficient for us to pronounce back to back vowels in this fashion - especially an "a" and an "e" so this solves the problem. In general if the subsequent word begins with a vowel sound, "an" is appropriate, if it begins with a plosive, fricative voiced/unvoiced consonant, etc., an "a" will suffice.
Jeff >>
and just who exactly wrote that? where is your reference?
;-) >>
My reference is my Doctorate in Speech Research at the Perception lab at UW-Milwaukee Actually I have no direct references at the moment but 8 years of research in speech and phonetics as well as language acquisition, I am pretty positive. At least I hope so, because I used this rule throughout my presentations and publication from the lab. Hmm maybe I should find those references. All kidding aside, there is no controversy in this area. An MS66 (correct) A MS66 (big error).
<< <i>Are all of you kidding? The answer is an MS66 - there is only one answer and only one reason for this and it is law. the decision whether it should be an "a" or a "an" is predicated on the phonetic spelling of the word following the article. Since MS66 is spelled "emes" (this spelling is the phonetic spelling and sometimes uses special symbols which I can not list here) the article in front of it necessarily must be "an". The English language is the reason that this is a rule. It is very difficult in in efficient for us to pronounce back to back vowels in this fashion - especially an "a" and an "e" so this solves the problem. In general if the subsequent word begins with a vowel sound, "an" is appropriate, if it begins with a plosive, fricative voiced/unvoiced consonant, etc., an "a" will suffice. Jeff >>
and just who exactly wrote that? where is your reference? ;-) >>
My reference is my Doctorate in Speech Research at the Perception lab at UW-Milwaukee Actually I have no direct references at the moment but 8 years of research in speech and phonetics as well as language acquisition, I am pretty positive. At least I hope so, because I used this rule throughout my presentations and publication from the lab. Hmm maybe I should find those references. All kidding aside, there is no controversy in this area. An MS66 (correct) A MS66 (big error). Dr. J Ph.D. >>
Yeah, but you probably call it "M-waukee" rather than "Milwaukee" so what do YOU know....
Hey, if I cant contribute anything meaningful that is coin related, I am sure as heck going to jump at the chance to add something meaningful in my field of study (speech perception). I mean really, how many times does a person get that chance?!
This is a inane thread and if I thought about it an minute I could probably help.
If you think this is bad you should try reading the Pyramid Texts. It appears that the most ancient Egyptian language required agreement of modifiers and the parts of noun in question to agree. An "apple" would not only have "an" core but the pronouns would be feminine as well. It gets confusing. A mascul- ine part of the apple like the stem would have masculine articles regardless of the sound of the word.
OK, I read the first page, and that nice explanation, so what is the consensus? I always thought 'an' preceded an acronym. No?
An FBI agent.
An CIA age.....wait....that's not right. It's A CIA agent. I know that, at least I think I do, I just don't know why. Can I explain, they're, there, and their instead?
Advanced collector of BREWERIANA. Early beer advertising (beer cans, tap knobs, foam scrapers, trays, tin signs, lithos, paper, etc)....My first love...U.S. COINS!
<< <i>OK, I read the first page, and that nice explanation, so what is the consensus? I always thought 'an' preceded an acronym. No?
An FBI agent.
An CIA age.....wait....that's not right. It's A CIA agent. I know that, at least I think I do, I just don't know why. Can I explain, they're, there, and their instead? >>
Words that start with a vowel sound are feminine in English and require a feminine article.
Sometimes words can be pronounced in different ways and "an" will force a specific reading.
Comments
<< <i>
<< <i>Are all of you kidding? The answer is
an MS66 - there is only one answer and only one reason for this and it is law.
the decision whether it should be an "a" or a "an" is predicated on the phonetic spelling of the word following the article. Since MS66 is spelled "emes" (this spelling is the phonetic spelling and sometimes uses special symbols which I can not list here) the article in front of it necessarily must be "an". The English language is the reason that this is a rule. It is very difficult in in efficient for us to pronounce back to back vowels in this fashion - especially an "a" and an "e" so this solves the problem. In general if the subsequent word begins with a vowel sound, "an" is appropriate, if it begins with a plosive, fricative voiced/unvoiced consonant, etc., an "a" will suffice.
Jeff >>
and just who exactly wrote that? where is your reference?
;-) >>
My reference is my Doctorate in Speech Research at the Perception lab at UW-Milwaukee
Dr. J Ph.D.
The name is LEE!
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Are all of you kidding? The answer is an MS66 - there is only one answer and only one reason for this and it is law. the decision whether it should be an "a" or a "an" is predicated on the phonetic spelling of the word following the article. Since MS66 is spelled "emes" (this spelling is the phonetic spelling and sometimes uses special symbols which I can not list here) the article in front of it necessarily must be "an". The English language is the reason that this is a rule. It is very difficult in in efficient for us to pronounce back to back vowels in this fashion - especially an "a" and an "e" so this solves the problem. In general if the subsequent word begins with a vowel sound, "an" is appropriate, if it begins with a plosive, fricative voiced/unvoiced consonant, etc., an "a" will suffice. Jeff >>
and just who exactly wrote that? where is your reference? ;-) >>
My reference is my Doctorate in Speech Research at the Perception lab at UW-Milwaukee
Yeah, but you probably call it "M-waukee" rather than "Milwaukee" so what do YOU know....
Jeff
If you think this is bad you should try reading the Pyramid Texts. It appears
that the most ancient Egyptian language required agreement of modifiers and
the parts of noun in question to agree. An "apple" would not only have "an"
core but the pronouns would be feminine as well. It gets confusing. A mascul-
ine part of the apple like the stem would have masculine articles regardless of
the sound of the word.
<< <i>More like Mahwaukee! >>
But you forgot the important letters, IL.
OR
A Mint State 66
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
ANOTHER MS66
A university prof, you need not be!
If you say Em-es then it is an "an".
If you say Mint State 66 it is an "a".
Proud recipient of two "You Suck" awards
<< <i>This is a inane thread and if I thought about it an minute I could probably help.
>>
HAHAHAHAHA!!
Correcto!
I can't believe that this gets more attention than a good coin thread.
As for Ann I had her...and she was "an" OK lay.
An FBI agent.
An CIA age.....wait....that's not right. It's A CIA agent. I know that, at least I think I do, I just don't know why.
Can I explain, they're, there, and their instead?
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
<< <i>OK, I read the first page, and that nice explanation, so what is the consensus? I always thought 'an' preceded an acronym. No?
An FBI agent.
An CIA age.....wait....that's not right. It's A CIA agent. I know that, at least I think I do, I just don't know why.
Can I explain, they're, there, and their instead?
Words that start with a vowel sound are feminine in English and require a feminine article.
Sometimes words can be pronounced in different ways and "an" will force a specific reading.
But really, who cares.
Here's a link stating the rule along with its exceptions!
- Jim
Ray
<< <i>Although "an" actually sounds correct, "A" is the correct answer in this case, according to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab.
Here's a link stating the rule along with its exceptions! >>
sshhh, people will start calling purdue.edu english professors idiots..
they get their info from other sites...
;-)
also, "emm s" for pronoucing an acronym should hardly qualify as
AN exception when it is mint state spelt out.
team A wins!
<< <i>
<< <i>Although "an" actually sounds correct, "A" is the correct answer in this case, according to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab.
Here's a link stating the rule along with its exceptions! >>
sshhh, people will start calling purdue.edu english professors idiots..
they get their info from other sites...
;-)
also, "emm s" for pronoucing an acronym should hardly qualify as
AN exception when it is mint state spelt out.
team A wins! >>
Gardnerville, NV
=========================
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<< <i>
But really, who cares. >>
<< <i>Buy the coin, not the pronoun. >>
- Jim
<< <i>After all, "an" preceeds a vowel and "M"S is not a vowel, however when you say "M" it's "EM" so it could be construed as vowel-like.
This bothers me all the time. And it's disconcerting.
You guys love being disconcerted. Go at it.
another bored individual who has nothing better to do at lunch time.