"an" or "a"

Bülent Rahmi Demirci   Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:18 pm GMT
I am confused about the following.

MNG is the abrevation of Mehmet Nazif Günal which is used for the group of Companies. I will appreciate it very much if you could advice the correct one

a MNG Company
an MNG Company

I tried to find the correct one from internet but I found almost 60% as an and 40% as a.

Thany you very much in advance
D   Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:27 pm GMT
You should use 'an' if the abbreviation is pronounced 'emm enn gee'. This is a general rule -- you read the next word aloud, and use 'an' if the next word starts with a vowel sound. If the abbreviation is pronouned 'ming' or something like that, then you would use 'a'.
vanhelsing   Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:50 am GMT
it depends on pronuciation of following word,for ex:
an MP
a university
an umbrella
an honest man
ect...
Adam   Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:19 pm GMT
It's not the actual vowel or consonant at the beginning of the word that decides if you use "a" or "an", it's the SOUND of the letter. If it's a vowel-sound, you use "an" even if it begins with a consonant. If it's a consonant-sound, you use "a" even if it begins with a vowel.