# Another grammar question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2000, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360 "2000-08-30T17:02:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/1 "2000-08-30T17:02:55Z")
While running a post through a spell checker, I was told that I was mistaken in writing “an untarnished reputation” and that I should have written “a untarnished reputation”. My understanding has always been that “an” should precede vowels. I realize that exceptions are made when a word begins with a vowel that is pronounced as a consonant (such as “a unique event”) but that did not occur here. Was my spell checker in error or is there a rule here I am unaware of? ---
**Author:** ![Cogitoergosum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Cogitoergosum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cogitoergosum)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/2 "2000-08-30T17:04:54Z")
You’re right, it’s wrong. ---
**Author:** ![LazarusLong42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@LazarusLong42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LazarusLong42)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/3 "2000-08-30T17:10:43Z")
Vaguely related, but don’t forget that you also use “an” before words that start with h, where the second letter would normally cause you to use “an” Therefore: “a human,” “an history.” LL ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/4 "2000-08-30T17:20:49Z")
I usually run papers through the grammar-check when I’m done writing them, just for the laugh value. I’ve never yet obeyed one of its suggestions, though. Spell checker is usually more reliable, but just remember: You smart, computer dumb. As for “an” before h-words (“An historic event”), that’s a matter of some debate. Basicaly, it depends on how you pronounce the initial H, which varies with dialect. If you turn the H into a definite consonant sound, as most Americans do, you should use “a”, but if you say it such that it just makes the vowel a little more aspirant, as some British speakers do, it’s not significant enough to mask the vowell, and you should use “an”. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/5 "2000-08-30T17:50:20Z")
Grammar check (and the green sqiggley lines, which I have turned OFF!) is a joke. Like **Chronos** said, for laugh value only. If you have even a basic grasp of grammar, you can do better than the computer. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/6 "2000-08-30T21:23:20Z")
RE. LazarusLong42 and “an history” “An was formerly usual before an unaccented syllable beginning with h (an historical work), but now that the h is such words is pronounced, the distinction has become pedantic, and a historical should be said and written…” If Fowler (probably not the wildest of trendsetters) thought so in 1926 or so, that makes Mr/Ms 42 another dinosaur. ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2000, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/7 "2000-08-30T21:23:24Z")
Yep to Chronos. It really ticks me off when I call myself “a historian” and get corrected. Sometimes I say, “dammit, I went to Virginia Tech, not Oxford!” Unfortunately, I don’t think that reinforces my credibility. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2000, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-grammar-question/31360/8 "2000-08-31T15:47:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Little Nemo \* > \*\*While running a post through a spell checker, I was told that I was mistaken in writing “an untarnished reputation” and that I should have written “a untarnished reputation”. > > \*\* My guess is that your grammar checker can’t distinguish between inital **u** s that sounds like “uh” and like “you”. Many **u** - words should take “a”, not “an.” [ul] a united front a useless computer a unanimous decision[/ul]Most **u** - words, including almost all **un-** words (but not _unique_) should take “an”, not “a” [ul] an unlikely event an uncle an urgent request[/ul]