Question

Which is correct, a M.A thesis or an M.A thesis? Is it a or an? Why?

Answer 1

Hint: ‘A’ and ‘an’ are indefinite articles. Articles are determiners and indefinite articles are non specific determiners that are used when we refer to something non specific. When a word begins with a consonant then we use ‘a’ before it, whereas, if a word begins with a vowel then we use ‘an’ before it.

Complete answer:
An M.A thesis is the correct answer.

Even though ‘M.A. thesis’ begins with the consonant M, the noun phrase carries ‘an’ before it because the pronunciation of the consonant M. ‘M’ is pronounced as ‘em’. Therefore, being an exception it takes ‘an’ before it, instead of ‘a’.

Other examples of such exceptions where the noun or noun phrases beginning with consonant take ‘an’ before they are as follows:
- In all the examples given below, H is a consonant but the sound taken by the word is of ‘o’, therefore, we use an with the following words-
i) Honour
ii) Honest
iii) Hourglass

Also in the case of some consonants they can take both ‘a’ or ‘an’ depend upon their use:
For example, the consonant M in the above example is used in an abbreviated form where the sound it takes is of ‘em’. However, if we use it in the general form as ‘masters’ then it will take article ‘a’ before it for e.g. A master’s student.

Note: There are exceptions to the words beginning with vowels as well. Some words beginning with vowels take ‘a’ before them for e.g. the is a unique design. Instead of using ‘an’ with the word unique, we have used ‘a’ because the sound taken by the word ‘u’ is of ‘you’ and ‘y’ is a consonant.