Re: Off Topic 2011

[Hooe]

Re: Off Topic 2011

That's different. I had been complaining about Stiney for years. Plus, in this area, it's not like we're gonna watch basketball.

The wonders of getting swept by Virginia

I asked this question on Twitter but it bears repeating because I'm a dork: Why is the phrase "an unique [insert any noun]" grammatically correct, yet so awful-sounding?

[Watson]

0 IP. Sweet.

That was 2006 B.G.

Before Greinke.

You are setting yourself up for disappointment, I can see it all the way in February.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Off Topic 2011

0 IP. Sweet.

That was 2006 B.G.

Before Greinke.

Grienke? Bring him on, Twins owned him last season.

I can't wait for baseball.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Off Topic 2011

The wonders of getting swept by Virginia

I asked this question on Twitter but it bears repeating because I'm a dork: Why is the phrase "an unique [insert any noun]" grammatically correct, yet so awful-sounding?

I feel the same way about "an historical event".

[Bellsprout]

Re: Off Topic 2011

You are setting yourself up for disappointment, I can see it all the way in February.

I'm a Brewers fan, I'm used to disappointment.

Just having expectations is an improvement over the past.

[mKoz26]

Re: Off Topic 2011

The wonders of getting swept by Virginia

I asked this question on Twitter but it bears repeating because I'm a dork: Why is the phrase "an unique [insert any noun]" grammatically correct, yet so awful-sounding?

I'm almost sure that's grammatically incorrect.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Off Topic 2011

I'm almost sure that's grammatically incorrect.

I don't think it is. I think you use "an" if the next word starts with a vowel.

It does sound weird as hell, though. Grammatically incorrect or not, I'll continue to say "a unique".

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Off Topic 2011

"An unique" is, in fact, gramatically incorrect.

A university, unique, etc.

An unbelievable, umbrella, etc.

[mKoz26]

Re: Off Topic 2011

I don't think it is. I think you use "an" if the next word starts with a vowel.

It does sound weird as hell, though. Grammatically incorrect or not, I'll continue to say "a unique".

But there are exceptions for words like "hour" which have no consonant sound. Which is why I'm pretty sure there is also an exception for words that begin in vowels but have consonant sounds.

[Hooe]

Re: Off Topic 2011

Google says, specifically for 'unique', that both ways are correct.

My intuition was basically the same as Dayman's; it starts with a vowel, so 'an'. Then I said it and it sounded awful, prompting the question.

[l3ulvl]

Re: Off Topic 2011

Excellent

[Dog]

Re: Off Topic 2011

I gotta write something for COMP due tomorrow. Ugh

[Bellsprout]

Re: Off Topic 2011

Does it have to do with the sound of the U? Like a hard U like in unique or university gets "A", but a soft U like in unusual or umbrella gets "An"?

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Off Topic 2011

Off-Topic went to an odd, nerdy place tonight.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Off Topic 2011

Off-Topic went to an odd, nerdy place tonight.

Embrace it.

And yes, Dayman, you've got it.