Nannystate wins. Flawless victory.

Remember, using a or an depends on the sound that begins the next word. So...

* a + singular noun beginning with a consonant: a boy; a car; a bike; a zoo; a dog

* an + singular noun beginning with a vowel: an elephant; an egg; an apple; an idiot; an orphan

* a + singular noun beginning with a consonant sound: a user (sounds like 'yoo-zer,' i.e. begins with a consonant 'y' sound, so 'a' is used); a university; a unicycle

Remember that this rule also applies when you use acronyms:

Introductory Composition at Purdue (ICaP) handles first-year writing at the University. Therefore, an ICaP memo generally discusses issues concerning English 106 instructors.

from: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/540/01/

NERDS!

"An LIRR" was written, not spoken. I understand thats how you would say it, but that's not how it's supposed to be written.

^^ The inconsonant attempting a vowel movement.

never a pretty sight.

For example, you would never say "take a L train" would you? You would say "Take an L train" instead. Same idea.

English. Learn it.

You're under the impression that the rules are the same for writing as they are for speaking. At any rate, I was taught not to use "an" before an acronym when writing.

One of my bigger pet peeves is seeing people write "loose" when they mean "lose."

QM, you're under the mistaken impression that "a" only goes before a consonant and "an" only goes before a vowel.

"a" goes before a consonant _sound_, and "an" goes before a vowel _sound_.

By that I meant you're not supposed to use "an" when you're writing.

Doesn't matter how you say it, you're not supposed to use "an."

you use "a" before a consonant sound. if you are one of those backwards people who call LIRR "lurr," then it would be "a LIRR," not "an el aye are are."

Whoops, that should read as "An ELL EYE ARE ARE"

Added an extra L in there for some reason.

LIRR is an acronym. When spoken, it is usually spelled out. You would say "An ELL ELL EYE ARE" No one says "lirr"

AN LIRR? An?!

insider traDing, perhaps? at first, i thought he was sneaking in to pre-season training camps or something of that sort...

"The L train should be called the Hipster Line"

Fascinating

I would LOVE to be randomly welcomed back after a long flight! They should do this periodically for other strangers.

The L train should be called the Hipster Line

When will LIRR be punished for cheating everyone? Why is the LIRR NEVER accountable for what they do?