Grammar

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brucekaupa

brucekaupa

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Is it "a Mbakwe dunk" or "an Mbakwe dunk"?
 

Is this "a honest question" or "an honest question"?
 

I believe its "a Mbakwe dunk" as an is usually only used when followed by a word that begins with a vowel. Although "an Mbakwe dunk" does sound better in this case.
 





Myron has it right (I think)

If my old journalism school rules still apply (circa College of St. Thomas mid-80's), Myron has it right, "a" Mbakwe dunk, for the reasons cjcarter8 cited above. Not sure if that rule has changed since then.
 





AN Mbakwe Dunk (Is Correct)

A Mbakwe dunk is not.

Mbakwe is prounounced Em-bock-way.

The phonetic sound Em requires "an" not "a" before it.

For EG, Mbakwe starts with an M (not a M).
 

an historic... or... a historic ?

I'm finna check back in a few hours to see if someone can make a convincing argument for one or the other.
 


Friend Of Tubby said:
AN historic, not A historic...

Ask any Jebby at MU.
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...but what is 'the rule' or your reasoning for this? If you pronounce historic with the h at the beginning, should it not be 'a historic'? If you pronounce historic as 'istoric', then should it be 'an historic'?

I would get Father Wild's thoughts on this, but he's busy preparing for Saturday's game...

IMG_3839.jpg
 




brucekaupa said:
Not true. Check back in an hour.
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The english language is a tricky one, there seems to be an exception to every rule and I believe you found an exception to this one.

In my defense though, I did say usually in my previous statement.
 

fryguy22 said:
This is right. Probably the best example is that of words starting with "o" that sound like they start with a "w". You wouldn't say "He is just AN one-trick pony", you say "He is just A one-trick pony".

So it would be "an Mbakwe dunk" since it sounds like it starts with a vowel.
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Unless you pronounce his name like that clown doing the color commentary from 'Rico.

"An there's a Mah-bok-way dunk!!! Great pass from Harfarber!!!"
 

Gopher Warrior said:
...but what is 'the rule' or your reasoning for this? If you pronounce historic with the h at the beginning, should it not be 'a historic'? If you pronounce historic as 'istoric', then should it be 'an historic'?

I would get Father Wild's thoughts on this, but he's busy preparing for Saturday's game...

IMG_3839.jpg
Click to expand...

Years of grammar drills by Jebbies in the 1960's.
 

As long as we hear 'a Mbakwe dunk' or 'an Mbakwe dunk' a few times every game from the booth, I could care less!

Although, 'an' just sounds right to me, regardless of the rules.
 


fryguy22 said:
This is right. Probably the best example is that of words starting with "o" that sound like they start with a "w". You wouldn't say "He is just AN one-trick pony", you say "He is just A one-trick pony".

So it would be "an Mbakwe dunk" since it sounds like it starts with a vowel.
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How does Mbakwe sound like it starts with a vowel? Say the letter "M", then say Mbakwe and now try to tell me that the beginning of Trevor's last name doesn't sound just like it.
 

cjcarter8 said:
How does Mbakwe sound like it starts with a vowel? Say the letter "M", then say Mbakwe and now try to tell me that the beginning of Trevor's last name doesn't sound just like it.
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The letter 'm' sounds like it starts with a vowel. Would you go to get a MRI... or would you get an MRI?

If I was going to be moving.. I might set a moving date...
 

Shouldn't we count on the official voice of th gophers?

I think Dick Jankowski prounces it hmm-bak'-way. Silent 'h'.

There!

Edit ... Still getting used to my iPad.
 

Gopher Warrior said:
The letter 'm' sounds like it starts with a vowel. Would you go to get a MRI... or would you get an MRI?

If I was going to be moving.. I might set a moving date...
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Whoa, you just jumped into a whole new topic. In the case of using "a" or "an", "an" comes before all acronyms that you pronounce each letter individually.

Edit: I googled this to see the correct answer and phonetically speaking, you are correct. When we speak, M is pronounced "e-m" just like N is pronounced "e-n", as well "e-s".
 


I think we could use an Nzigamazabo reference about now.
 


cjcarter8 said:
Whoa, you just jumped into a whole new topic. In the case of using "a" or "an", "an" comes before all acronyms that you pronounce each letter individually.
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Oooh... I'm not sure about that (PS, English is a ridiculous language.. impressive that so many people learn it as a second language)...

Would you watch an UN meeting on television? Do you feel a sense of disgust when you see an GW post? Did you get this belief from watching an PBS special? Doubtful.
 


cjcarter8 said:
Yeah, that doesn't sound right. I have no clue, I'm going off what I read. My old High School English teacher would not be impressed.
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It's all about how you pronounce it. If you were to write out how to say the letter 'G' it would be "gee", thus starting with a consonant.
 

Gopher Warrior said:
Oooh... I'm not sure about that (PS, English is a ridiculous language.. impressive that so many people learn it as a second language)...

Would you watch an UN meeting on television? Do you feel a sense of disgust when you see an GW post? Did you get this belief from watching an PBS special? Doubtful.
Click to expand...

You, sir, are correct. I think I'm gonna call it a day before I stick my foot any further into my mouth.
 

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