Grammer hi-jack ,

[Southampton Green]

Apparently, it depends on whether the word itself has a 'consonant sound' or a 'vowel sound'. Although 'ubiquitous', starts with a vowel it is pronounced 'you-biquitous', which has a consonant sound. Hence, 'a you-biquitous' sounds correct, whereas 'an you-biquitous' does not.

I confess to being fascinated by the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling. I don't always get it right but I feel great when I do, because, unlike playing sports or working out numbers, it is one of the few things that I have ever been any good at. I fully accept and respect that other people can't see the point of apostrophes etc but, for me, getting it right makes me feel good... 😊

P.S I have now left myself wide open to my grammar being corrected!

I must confess that I love 'Oxford commas', although I notice that you don't use them 😁

 

[memory man]

Apparently, it depends on whether the word itself has a 'consonant sound' or a 'vowel sound'. Although 'ubiquitous', starts with a vowel it is pronounced 'you-biquitous', which has a consonant sound. Hence, 'a you-biquitous' sounds correct, whereas 'an you-biquitous' does not.

I confess to being fascinated by the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling. I don't always get it right but I feel great when I do, because, unlike playing sports or working out numbers, it is one of the few things that I have ever been any good at. I fully accept and respect that other people can't see the point of apostrophes etc but, for me, getting it right makes me feel good... 😊

P.S I have now left myself wide open to my grammar being corrected!

I have sent you a PM rather than deflect attention from the original topic

 

[memory man]

"a" or "an" ubiquitous?

I am unsure whether to use "a" or "an" in the following sentence: Video games have become a/an ubiquitous part of American culture. For me, saying the two sentences out loud makes "an" seem like ...

english.stackexchange.com

It's a bit like the "science" of i before e except after c

Thank you.

 

[Andy S]

"a" or "an" ubiquitous?

I am unsure whether to use "a" or "an" in the following sentence: Video games have become a/an ubiquitous part of American culture. For me, saying the two sentences out loud makes "an" seem like ...

english.stackexchange.com

It's a bit like the "science" of i before e except after c

I before E except when your foreign neighbour Keith receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty, caffeinated weightlifters. Weird.

 

[Mark58]

I must confess that I love 'Oxford commas', although I notice that you don't use them 😁

I was always taught that if you are listing things you never put a comma before 'and' (at the end). It seems logical to me, as you wouldn't write about 'fish, and chips' or 'bread, and butter'. The Oxford comma, of course, is totally the opposite. And that is the beauty (and frustration for those learning English!) of our language. 'Rules' contradict themselves and often more than one option is available, rather than being hard and fast. Debate, discussion and argument can be endless - and in a lot of cases 'both versions are considered acceptable'.

Whilst I do not normally use the Oxford comma, SG, I am, unfortunately, well versed in the Oxford coma. This is the state of mind that ensues when spending an hour or more attempting to exit the car park at the rear of the Kassam Stadium after yet another Argyle defeat...

 

[Southampton Green]

I before E except when your foreign neighbour Keith receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty, caffeinated weightlifters. Weird.

I could rein it in, but I don't want to forfeit my efficient conscience policies.

 

[Southampton Green]

I was always taught that if you are listing things you never put a comma before 'and' (at the end). It seems logical to me, as you wouldn't write about 'fish, and chips' or 'bread, and butter'. The Oxford comma, of course, is totally the opposite. And that is the beauty (and frustration for those learning English!) of our language. 'Rules' contradict themselves and often more than one option is available, rather than being hard and fast. Debate, discussion and argument can be endless - and in a lot of cases 'both versions are considered acceptable'.

Whilst I do not normally use the Oxford comma, SG, I am, unfortunately, well versed in the Oxford coma. This is the state of mind that ensues when spending an hour or more attempting to exit the car park at the rear of the Kassam Stadium after yet another Argyle defeat...

I am just a rebel when it comes to commas. Oxford just legitimises me throwing them in at every opportunity

 

[Bovey Green lady]

I am just a rebel when it comes to commas. Oxford just legitimises me throwing them in at every opportunity

It's the loss of some words that bothers me! Especially the use of "two times" when there is a perfectly good word "Twice". As for "Thrice" I seem to be the only person aware of it's existence! OK! Grump over!

 

[Pogleswoody]

It's the loss of some words that bothers me! Especially the use of "two times" when there is a perfectly good word "Twice". As for "Thrice" I seem to be the only person aware of it's existence! OK! Grump over!

Bring back quarce BGL!!

 

[Bryan Tregunna]

As I was walking down the street I met my parents, Wendy and Mary.

Sometimes, the Oxford comma is needed!

 

[mervyn]

I recommend a reading of ‘eats shoots and leaves’ by Lynn Truss.

 

[Andy S]

I recommend a reading of ‘eats shoots and leaves’ by Lynn Truss.

There was a similar one in the 50s - yes I’m that old!! 😂

Sir Vivian Fuchs on Everest.

Be careful where you put the comma.

 

[olive green]

Same with the hyphen. Worst student experience and extra marital sex are two examples I use with students.

 

[Southampton Green]

It's the loss of some words that bothers me! Especially the use of "two times" when there is a perfectly good word "Twice". As for "Thrice" I seem to be the only person aware of it's existence! OK! Grump over!

In the immortal words of The Commodores and Lionel Richie, you are clearly "Once, twice, ..." , oops 😁

 

[Bovey Green lady]

Bring back quarce BGL!!

Yay! Perfectly good word! Well done, Pogles! Perhaps we could compose our own dictionary of dear departed words?