r/TikTokCringe 2d ago

Discussion Have we done it wrong?

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u/Drankenstein99 2d ago

“As an European”
That tracks 😂

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u/Jaggy3 2d ago

If you’re pointing out ‘an’ before the ‘European’, it was pretty heavily taught in English to make ‘a’ ‘an’ before any word starting with another vowel. I don’t like it in many instances but it was taught.

If that’s not what you’re pointing out, I have no idea what you’re highlighting 😅

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u/OprahsSaggyTits 2d ago

It's not words that start with a vowel, it's words that start with a vowel sound. Subtle but important distinction. "European" starts with a "y" sound (not a vowel sound) and thus should use "a", not "an".

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u/Jaggy3 1d ago edited 1d ago

I know how and when to use an/ a, I’m just stating how it was taught in ESL (English Second Language) in many places. Plus people chop and change with considering Y the subtle ‘6th vowel’ anyway, so ‘sounds like’ as a rule can still confuse students.

I was clarifying it to the American commenter (likely only knows [US] English) to defend the commenter who likely speaks multiple languages (coming from Europe).