A or An MBA

[Aragorn]

I always thought only vowels would need 'an'. Why is an 'MBA correct' over 'a MBA'? Thanks for your help.

[RonPurewal]

you use 'an' before vowel sounds, not necessarily before vowels.
usually the correlation is close to perfect - words starting with vowels always start with vowel sounds, and words starting with consonants almost always start with consonant sounds - which is why you have probably never considered this issue before.

go ahead and say 'a MBA' out loud (note that 'MBA' starts with a vowel).
unless you have a new england accent, in which the awkward gap between 'a' and 'm' might be filled in with an intrusive 'r'-type sound, this will be difficult to pronounce.

same goes not only for acronyms, but for normal words that begin with consonants but nevertheless begin with vowel sounds:
an herb (not 'a herb')
an honor (not 'a honor')
etc.

[Aragorn]

thanks for the clarification. I took my gmat date yesterday. I am giving it on July 12th:shock: !! I have put a cool countdown tool on my blog too
Hopefully I don't screw up and can write a good post about how great Manhattan resources are.
___
d4dial.blogspot.com

[RonPurewal]

thanks for the clarification. I took my gmat date yesterday. I am giving it on July 12th:shock: !! I have put a cool countdown tool on my blog too
Hopefully I don't screw up and can write a good post about how great Manhattan resources are.
___
d4dial.blogspot.com

we always appreciate references from happy students.
good luck!