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Subject:Re: "a" versus "an" with an acronym From:Marc Brinker <mbrinker -at- PRECISIONCS -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 19 Nov 1997 12:20:44 -0800
Metzger, Lucinda wrote:
> In my department, we'd say "an MSDS" because this acronym will be read
> as the individual letters, not as "Musdus". Don't know about you, but
> when I read things, I hear the words in my head, and it would jar me to
> come across "a em ess dee ess". Besides, would you say "an M&M" or "a
> M&M"?
Agreed. The purpose of the "n" in "an" is simply to ease the vocal
transition of the spoken word. In my opinion, it applies to MSDS for the
reasons Lucinda stated above. I think most people would agree.
The "n" follows the sound of the noun, not the syntax . . .
