a ass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ass" is not correct in written English.
The correct form would be "an ass" due to the vowel sound that follows the article. Example: "He acted like an ass during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"A Ass Pocket of Whiskey" (1996): When the indie-rock label Matador put out "A Ass Pocket of Whiskey," it was an experiment — both artistically and commercially.

The New Yorker

A man is not expected to love his country, lest he make a ass of himself.

The New Yorker

As we learned from Mr. Bumble in "Oliver Twist," if that's what the law says, "the law is a ass".

The New Yorker

Noting that, by law, they couldn't be forced to go along, the Mayor, quoting Mr. Bumble in "Oliver Twist," said, "The law is a ass".

The New Yorker

The memo continued for a page and a half in this vein, referring to two partners by name as "tormentors," gently digging at law firm culture and quoting a Dickens character: "the law is a ass [sic], a idiot".

The New York Times - Style

If the Supreme Court takes a truly honest look at Section 21.06 of the Texas Penal Code, it will surely agree with the view of Dickens's Mr. Bumble: this is one case where, at bottom, "the law is a ass".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Homer is an ass but a lovable ass.

The New York Times

He knows he's a bit of an ass.

The New York Times - Books

A certain Jewish leader "always acts like an ass".

The New York Times - Books

AA is a RN, RNM, and PhD, deployed as an ass professor in nursing at Örebro University.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Apuleius' Metamorphoses (The Golden Ass) has a hero who has accidentally been changed into an ass.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "an" before "ass" because 'a' is used before consonant sounds, while 'an' is used before vowel sounds. For example, say "He's being an ass".

Common error

Avoid using "a" before "ass". Using "a" is grammatically incorrect. Remember to always use "an" before vowel sounds.

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe someone behaving foolishly or obnoxiously. As Ludwig AI points out, the article usage is incorrect. The correct form is "an ass."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a ass" appears in various sources, it's grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "an ass". As Ludwig AI indicates, the error stems from using the wrong article before a word starting with a vowel sound. Though found in news and media, its informal register and grammatical error make it unsuitable for formal writing. Consider using synonyms like "a fool" or "an idiot" for a more appropriate and grammatically sound alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ass

Corrects the article to "an" to match the following vowel sound.

a fool

Replaces "ass" with a more common and less offensive synonym.

an idiot

Similar to "a fool", providing another polite synonym.

a jerk

Offers a more contemporary and slightly milder alternative.

a moron

Another synonym for someone acting foolishly or stupidly.

a buffoon

Suggests someone who is foolish and comical.

a twit

A mild term for a silly or annoying person.

a dolt

A less common but equally valid synonym for a stupid person.

a nincompoop

A humorous and somewhat archaic term for a foolish person.

an imbecile

A stronger term indicating a lack of intelligence.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone is acting foolishly?

The grammatically correct way to say someone is acting foolishly is to say they are "an ass" or that they are being "a fool".

Is it acceptable to use the phrase "a ass" in writing?

No, it is not acceptable to use the phrase "a ass" in formal or professional writing because it is grammatically incorrect. Use "an ass" instead.

What can I say instead of "a ass" to be more polite?

If you want to be more polite, you can use phrases like "a jerk", "a fool", or "an idiot" depending on the context.

Why is "a ass" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a ass" is grammatically incorrect because the article "a" is used before consonant sounds, whereas the article "an" is used before vowel sounds. Since "ass" starts with a vowel sound, "an ass" is the correct form.