Proper English

Utility begins with a vowel when spelled, but begins with a consonant sound when spoken (Yootilitee). Therefore, "a" would be the correct article. "An" is the correct article when saying "It would be an honor" since honor begins with a vowel sound.

Frozen North has it the way I was taught. However, if I am able, I put a distance between the "a" and "utility", such as "a 60' wide utility" to keep me from looking at it funny when I come back to proof it.

I've had this debate a few times all my life as it seemed stupid to write things like "an horse". Didn't know about the vowel sound rule. Thanks.

"a"

I'm surprised our "Cow" aint chimed in yet, dat bovine shu can spel.

Absolutely about how its pronounced. A utility, an uphill battle, a horse, an hour if you pronounce "historic" with the "h-sound, it's a historic event, if you use it as a silent "h" like 'istoric, then it's an historic event.

Once upon a time three fellows worked in a store that catered to hippies There names were Frank, Herb and Herb. One day a visiting hippie wandered into the store and asked some tough questions about the variety of herbs they had for sale. He had approached Frank who was no expert on herbs, so he was told to: Find a Herb and tell him to get you an herb of the kind you seek.

Well a bit of Australian input, we don't call it an 'an'. No it's an 'a'!
We have a Utility = a car with 2 doors and a box tub/tray behind, and all the service Utilities. Individually they are an 'a'.

But the S or Z is what puzzles me, but we actually agree on that word. Not sure what pussle would mean :yum:

In Oklahoma we threw out that "a" and "an" crap a long time ago. It has been replaced with "uh"...as in uh hour, uh army, uh historic event, etc. 😉

Actually it's pronounced more like: uh nour, uh narmy, uh nistoric event. Must be the French influence with their "une".