Do you use a or an before consonant acronym?

When the indefinite article is used before an acronym, the choice of form (a or an) depends on pronunciation, not on spelling; in other words, use a if the acronym begins with a consonant sound, and an if it begins with a vowel sound: a UNICEF project (a before the consonant sound y, as in you)

Do you use a or an before an acronym that starts with R?

This is a consonant sound, despite the letter “U” being a vowel; thus, you use a, as in a US dollar. Contrast this with the initialism “RPM”, which begins with the consonant “R” but is pronounced starting with /a/; thus, you use an, as in an RPM counter. ‘Written language is a representation of the spoken word.

How are acronyms pronounced?

So, when do you call a word an acronym and when do you call it an initialism? Acronyms can usually be read as one word, like NATO or ASAP. Initialisms are usually pronounced by saying each letter of the acronym, like IDK and ATM (not ah-tem).

Which article is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound?

a
“The indefinite article ‘a’ is used before words beginning with a consonant sound, including ‘y’ and ‘w’ sounds,” writes Garner’s Modern American Usage. ‘The other form, ‘an,’ is used before words beginning with a vowel sound.

Where is Aeiou used?

The Rule. The rule states that “a” should be used before words that begin with consonants (e.g., b, c ,d) while “an” should be used before words that begin with vowels (e.g., a,e,i). Notice, however, that the usage is determined by the pronunciation and not by the spelling, as many people wrongly assume.

Do acronyms come first in alphabetical order?

Organizations whose title or name is an acronym or contain a single letter are alphabetized treating each letter of the acronym or single letter as a separate unit. Names beginning with a number expressed in digits are placed as a group before the alphabetical filing.