G
Guest
I use MS Word 2000 with UK English language tools. Word seems to be applying
a general rule that the indefinite article "an" precedes words beginning with
vowels, and the indefinite article "a" precedes words beginning with
consonants. While this is generally true, the rule applies differently to
silent initial consonants, which, in UK English, always take "an." I believe
that is also true of the standard form of US English.
Word does not attempt to correct "a European," even though the word begins
with a vowel, it is spoken with an initial consonant sound, so it takes "a"
not "an", so it does allow for exceptions.
The rule varies according to spoken usage. Americans, who do not pronounce
the initial vowel in "herb", are correct in writing "an herb." Users of
global or British English, who do pronounce that vowel are correct in writing
"a herb." Word attempts to correct the latter, even with UK English set as
the proofing language.
Could Microsoft have UK English menus on all products for UK and global
consumption? I work with Ugandan students who learn UK spelling at school,
and encounter US spelling on their computers, as a result, their spelling is
often inconsistent.
Dr Grant Lilford
Uganda Christian University
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...39749d&dg=microsoft.public.word.docmanagement
a general rule that the indefinite article "an" precedes words beginning with
vowels, and the indefinite article "a" precedes words beginning with
consonants. While this is generally true, the rule applies differently to
silent initial consonants, which, in UK English, always take "an." I believe
that is also true of the standard form of US English.
Word does not attempt to correct "a European," even though the word begins
with a vowel, it is spoken with an initial consonant sound, so it takes "a"
not "an", so it does allow for exceptions.
The rule varies according to spoken usage. Americans, who do not pronounce
the initial vowel in "herb", are correct in writing "an herb." Users of
global or British English, who do pronounce that vowel are correct in writing
"a herb." Word attempts to correct the latter, even with UK English set as
the proofing language.
Could Microsoft have UK English menus on all products for UK and global
consumption? I work with Ugandan students who learn UK spelling at school,
and encounter US spelling on their computers, as a result, their spelling is
often inconsistent.
Dr Grant Lilford
Uganda Christian University
----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
suggestions with the most votes. To vote for this suggestion, click the "I
Agree" button in the message pane. If you do not see the button, follow this
link to open the suggestion in the Microsoft Web-based Newsreader and then
click "I Agree" in the message pane.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...39749d&dg=microsoft.public.word.docmanagement