The Tricky Exceptions to the “A” vs. “An” Rule
Some grammar rules are as straightforward as can be — at first glance, at least. We're taught in grade school to use "a" before words beginning with consonants and "an" before words that start with vowels. That means you could plant "a herb garden," right? Then why does "an herb
garden" sound slightly better to our American ears? It's because this simple grade-school grammar rule is more complex than it seems. The English language has two types of articles: definite and indefinite. They identify whether a noun is specific or generic. "The" is a definite article — the only definite...
