While we're all in class and without digressing too much, could someone please elaborate on the correct usage of the words 'a' and 'an'. I find myself perplexed sometimes as I try to get my get head around the proper usage, moreso of the word 'an'.

With some sentences it is quite easy and self explanatory, such as 'an X5 drove by' as opposed to 'a X5 drove by'. My understanding is that the former is correct. However, if one was to say 'My X5 needs a supercharger' or 'My X5 needs an supercharger', which one is correct?

It's no biggy, I'd just like to know the correct grammar

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L, you think so? In my experience, everyone says "the Merritt", "the I95", "the 287", "the Cross Bronx Expressway", "the FDR", "the LIE", ... I'm struggling to find an exception --- the only one that I can think of (locally) is "Route 1" that runs all the way up New England.

If the word following begins with a vowel sound, the word you want is “an”: “Have an apple, Adam.” If the word following begins with a consonant, but begins with a vowel sound, you still need “an”: “An X-ray will show whether there's a worm in it.” It is nonstandard and often considered sloppy speech to utter an “uh” sound in such cases.

The same rule applies to initialisms like “NGO” (for “non-governmental organization”). Because the letter N is pronounced “en,” it’s “an NGO” but when the phrase is spoken instead of the abbreviation, it’s “a non-governmental organization.”

When the following word definitely begins with a consonant sound, you need “a”: “A snake told me apples enhance mental abilities.”

Note that the letter Y can be either a vowel or a consonant. Although it is sounded as a vowel in words like “pretty,” at the beginning of words it is usually sounded as a consonant, as in “a yolk.”

Thanks MD,
Your explanation makes perfect sense and is easily followed. I must of had that day/week off school when all that was explained, either that or I couldn't of given a rats at the time.
Funny how you get older and wish you'd paid more attention at different times.

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Well, now that we have the correct use of I-5 sorted, and MD has clarified the use of a vs an, what I would like to know is......

In the thread title, why isn't the word English capitalized, and why is Guru capitalized?

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Because when I wrote it I was doing other stuff
as I usually do when I'm doing my thing at the xoutpost.
Another english language faux pas on my part........

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"What you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. “The jazz band works best when participation is shaped by intelligent communication.”
Harmony happens whenever different parts get to form a whole by means of congruity, concord, symetry, consistency, conformity, correspondence, agreement, accord, unity, consonance…….

The 22, 15, 215, 57, and 71 come to mind.

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Thanks Benny! Every Breath Bernanke Takes

The Grand Central, the Cross Bronx, the Deegan, the Hutch, the Wilbur Cross, The Wantagh, The Meadowbrook, the Cross Westchester, the Cross County, The Northern State Parkway (or "the parkway" if you're a LI Native, as opposed to the GSP), the Seaford Oyster Bay expressway... The only roads that I refer to by the # is 95, 27, 3 and 46, and none get "the" in front.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

The Gowanus, the Throgs Neck, the Whitestone, the GW, the Henry Hudson Pkwy,
the Lincoln Tunnel, the Verrazano, the Village, the etc...;>)