R is a consonant (indicating “a”) but also if you say the word R it starts with a vowel (indicating “an”)
both look wrong :(
- Gamma ( @GammaGames@beehaw.org ) English3•4 months ago
It’s not about being a consonant, it’s about starting with a vowel sound. So you’d use an
- ReCursing ( @ReCursing@kbin.social ) 2•4 months ago
Which is more comfortable to say? It’s that one
literally neither was. they both looked and felt very alien.
i’ve pinned my suddenly having weird, “grammar is starkly bizarre” issues down to being a side effect of adjusting my meds. hoping that fades later.
edit: and also i do think your statement is a very practical answer in a general sense :)
- Melkath ( @Melkath@kbin.social ) 2•4 months ago
An RTS.
Acronyms are generally proceeded by “an”, not a.
- Skua ( @Skua@kbin.social ) 7•4 months ago
It’s nothing to do with it being an acronym, it’s just because the first sound pronounced is a vowel sound. Similarly, it’s “an FPS”, “an ATM”, and “an SUV”, but “a PPV event” and “a USB stick”
- Melkath ( @Melkath@kbin.social ) 5•4 months ago
Fair enough and spot on.
a USB stick, while correct, challenges how I would have described it before you referenced it to me.
- KoboldCoterie ( @KoboldCoterie@pawb.social ) English1•4 months ago
It’s based on how it’s pronounced, not written, so it’s “an R-T-S”, or “a real-time strategy game”.
- kieron115 ( @kieron115@startrek.website ) English1•4 months ago
Merriam-Webster states that “the deciding factor for which of these words should be used is the sound that begins the word which follows the indefinite article, rather than the letter which does.” So “an RTS” or “a real-time strategy game” would both be appropriate.