this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2023
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Showerthoughts
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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.
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I'm derailing this showerthought to point out that I think it should be "a unique", not "an unique". Say both out loud. Now you might think that doesn't make sense, because unique starts with a vowel. But not so fast! "Unique" is well... unique... because the "u" is actually pronounced like a "y". The "a vs an" decision is actually an issue of consonant/vowel sound and not literally whether it's a vowel or a consonant in the first letter of the following word. Remember the old list of vowels? a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y? This is one of those sometimes moments. Y sometimes behaves like a vowel, but for the "a vs an" decision, it behaves like a consonant. You wouldn't say "an yellow shirt". You'd say "a yellow shirt". And "unique" has the same sound at its start as "yellow" does.
I think you need to check yourself into an hospital and seek medical attention!
But, me too, because I agree with everything you said...
This is a bad example. "Hospital" is pronounced without the leading "H" sound in some regions, so "an" would be appropriate. :(
'Ence why I mentioned it! ;)
This is pedantic as hell but you are not wrong!
Well you can also intuitively tell which one is right by pronouncing it.
Just tried it. "An oonique"... Sounds fancy.