Gothamist: Extra, Extra

Rob T Firefly

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:54:17 -0500

Nannystate wins. Flawless victory.

ganghiscon

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:27:21 -0500

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/

nomnomnom

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:14:35 -0500

NERDS!

QM

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:09:50 -0500

"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.

NannyState

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:39:12 -0500

^^ The inconsonant attempting a vowel movement. never a pretty sight.

nice job

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:39:58 -0500

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.

QM

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:37:36 -0500

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."

fakenewyorker

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:32:03 -0500

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_.

QM

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:30:04 -0500

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

QM

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:22:08 -0500

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

fakenewyorker

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:21:12 -0500

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."

nice job

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:17:51 -0500

Whoops, that should read as "An ELL EYE ARE ARE" Added an extra L in there for some reason.

nice job

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:16:33 -0500

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

QM

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:13:54 -0500

AN LIRR? An?!

SapphireSwell

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:08:51 -0500

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

nice job

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:03:10 -0500

"The L train should be called the Hipster Line" Fascinating

shovel

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:15:10 -0500

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

brooklynmark

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:02:25 -0500

The L train should be called the Hipster Line

HUGO_MEGO

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:55:06 -0500

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