I received a question several years ago about using “a” vs “an” before an acronym. Most native English speakers understand the “a” vs. “an” difference when the “a” or the “an” comes before a full word. However, it can be fuzzy when the “a” or “an” comes before an acronym. Here’s a good example to help you remember.

Here’s a question from a reader asking which is correct: a LGBTQ or an LGBTQ

OK, Copy Bitch, I’ve got one for you: Is it proper to use “a” or “an” before the acronym LGBTQ? I am a firm believer that “an” should only be used before vowels, so “a” should be used prior to LGBTQ, right?  But everywhere I look, people are writing “an LGBTQ.” What say you?

–Rob F, NYC

For once, the masses are right, Rob.

So saying, for example, “an LGBTQ advocate” would be correct. It’s the vowel or consonant sound that’s critical when making this call, not necessarily what the actual letter is. So, because you’d say “el” for the letter “L” (which is a vowel sound), “an” is appropriate.

• EXAMPLE: Let’s post an LGBTQ+ message on our website during Pride Month.

Should it be “a urologist” or “an urologist”?

I’ve been encountering this issue lately with the words “urogynecologist” and “urologist.” (I do copywriting work for a urology practice.) Those words don’t use a vowel sound like you hear in the word “undercoat.” They use more of a “y” sound: Yoorologist. The below example demonstrates the difference in how you’d use “a” vs “an” in this case.

• EXAMPLE: I bought an undercoat today. But now I need to find a urologist.

Hope this helps!

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Note: I use affiliate links for some of them. If you use one of the links to buy something, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission. I only recommend stuff that I believe in.

• Grammarly. The free version is great at catching critical errors. I used it for about a year before upgrading to the premium tier, and I’m glad I did. You can sign up for the free version here. (If you sign up or buy via my affiliate link, it won’t cost you more, but I’ll earn a small commission.)
• A Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers. (Amazon affiliate link.) I have the fifth edition, which is excellent. I’m thinking about upgrading to the 10th. Hacker was incredible. She died in 2004, but her memory lives on.
• Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss (Amazon affiliate link)
• Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer (Amazon affiliate link)