Using 'a' or 'an' Before an Acronym



Some of us might still be confused about when to use 'A' or 'AN' before an acronym.


For example:
I joined a NGO.


Spoken, this is a 'vowel' sound: en
But it is a 'consonant' - N


So, which is correct? A or AN?


The correct article is AN.


What is commonly being practiced is to go by how you would pronounce the acronym if you were reading it aloud; in this coul, you would spell it out so you would use 'AN'.


Some acronyms can be pronounced as words such as SEC, so you would write 'a SEC".