a obscene

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a obscene" is not correct in written English.
The correct form should be "an obscene" because "obscene" begins with a vowel sound. Example: "The film was criticized for its an obscene content that was deemed inappropriate for children."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Boyle then made a obscene joke about her son.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Would you want a swastika cow, or a K.K.K. cow, or a cow performing an obscene act?

The New Yorker

A few scary moments, an obscene gesture and a lot of smoking.

The New York Times

I felt that the book was a nightmarish object, an obscene thing that affronted and tainted reality itself.

The New Yorker

He could tease Mr. Wexler by replacing his passport photo with an obscene shot of a woman with a donkey.

The New York Times - Books

(I paid an obscene two hundred and ninety-five dollars for a ticket to a Saturday matinée).

The New Yorker

Initially, doors slammed shut, often with an obscene gesture and a few choice words.

The New York Times

Baltimore's Terrell Suggs wore a T-shirt bearing an obscene gesture directed at Pittsburgh.

The New York Times

"Since when is a display of nudity an obscene act?" Justice Minister Jose Carlos Dias asked.

The New York Times

Johnson said that he once, jokingly, made an obscene gesture toward a camera he had located.

The New York Times - Sports

He acknowledged his mistake in using an obscene gesture at a mixed martial arts event in Florida this off-season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always remember that the article "a" is used before consonant sounds, while "an" is used before vowel sounds. Before using the article 'a' always check the first sound of the following word.

Common error

Avoid using "a" before words that begin with a vowel sound. While "obscene" starts with the letter 'o', which is a vowel, ensure you use the article "an" instead of "a". This is because the sound 'o' makes is a vowel sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a obscene" functions as an incorrect adjectival phrase. The error lies in the incorrect use of the indefinite article "a" before the adjective "obscene", which begins with a vowel sound. Ludwig AI highlights the correct usage should be "an obscene".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a obscene" is grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the article "a" and the vowel sound at the beginning of "obscene". As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "an obscene". While the intent is to describe something offensive, it's essential to use the correct article to avoid grammatical errors. Consider alternative phrases like "a vulgar" or "an offensive" to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an obscene

Corrects the article usage; "an" is used before words starting with a vowel sound.

a vulgar

Replaces "obscene" with a synonym and uses the correct article "a".

a distasteful

Replaces "obscene" with another synonym while maintaining correct article usage.

an offensive

Replaces "obscene" with a synonym that also requires the article "an".

a shocking

Offers a similar sentiment with correct article usage.

a scandalous

Provides a synonym that fits the context while adhering to grammar rules.

an outrageous

Another similar descriptive term that requires the article "an".

a reprehensible

Replaces "obscene" with a formal synonym, keeping the article "a" appropriate.

a disgusting

Alternative adjective to describe something unpleasant with "a" article.

an appalling

A more formal synonym that also uses "an" before the adjective.

FAQs

Why is "a obscene" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a obscene" is incorrect because the word "obscene" begins with a vowel sound. The correct article to use before a vowel sound is "an", so the correct phrase is "an obscene".

What article should I use before words starting with a vowel sound?

Use the article "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u). For example, it's correct to say "an apple", "an egg", "an ice cream", and "an orange".

Are there other words I can use instead of "obscene" that would be grammatically correct with the article "a"?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "a vulgar", "a distasteful", or "a shocking" to maintain grammatical correctness with the article "a".

How does the sound of a word affect the choice between "a" and "an"?

The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound at the beginning of the following word, not necessarily the letter itself. For example, "an hour" is correct because "hour" starts with a vowel sound (the 'h' is silent), while "a university" is correct because "university" starts with a consonant sound ('yu').