Is there some special rule regarding articles for words starting with two consonants? I was taught to use a when a word starts with consonant (or an otherwise). I just wrote "a mPOS device" but MS Word proposes to use "an". I can hear "emPOs". Is this a special rule or the Word spell checker bug? Thanks
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2It is what you can hear that the rule regarding a and an applies to, so I am not sure what you are asking.– user6951Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:02
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3It is not the letter that the next word starts with that counts but the sound. See this comment. Since mPOS starts with a vowel sound, use an. (That is the traditional rule, although it doesn't describe how all native speakers actually speak.)– user6951Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:06
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1I see. So the pronounciation is the rule.– Leos LiterakCommented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:08
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1Yes, sir, it is the pronunciation that is the rule.– user6951Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:09
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Think of it this way: adding in the "-n" separates two spoken vowels which would be akward to say one after the other. Try saying "a apple" and "an apple" or "an mPOS" and "a mPOS". The way you say it reflects back on how you write it - a or an.– StephieCommented Feb 23, 2015 at 16:40
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