a unrecorded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unrecorded" is not correct in standard written English. It should be "an unrecorded" because "unrecorded" begins with a vowel sound. You can use it when referring to something that has not been documented or officially noted. Example: "The findings were based on an unrecorded incident." Alternative expressions include "an undocumented" and "a notated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Shakespeare's plays have thus given rise, side by side, to a "legitimate" operatic offspring and to an anonymous operatic dissemination, a recorded and an unrecorded history of Shakespeare on the opera stage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They'll never know what it means to have a private moment, an unrecorded, unanalysed thought — and that's a problem, because privacy matters; privacy is what allows us to determine who we are and who we want to be.

TechCrunch

"All you bootleggers out there in radioland – roll your tapes!" was Springsteen's cry from the stage as he introduced an unrecorded tune during a concert at the Roxy theatre in Los Angeles in 1978.

The Guardian - Music

A recent HbA1c value (within 6 months before enrollment) was available for 99% (N = 13,226) of participants (82% obtained using DCA, 3% from another point-of-care device, 12% from a laboratory, 3% by an unrecorded method).

Diabetes Care

HbA1c levels, mainly measured with point-of-care devices (74% DCA, 4% from another point-of-care device, 19% from a laboratory, 3% by an unrecorded method), were obtained from the clinic chart.

Diabetes Care

Both of these points suggest that the print depicts either an imaginary scene or an unrecorded event from 1821.

Wikipedia

They'll never know what it means to have a private moment to themselves an unrecorded, unanalysed thought.

The Guardian

Although archaeology was a long-held interest, his devotion to rock art began after he uncovered an unrecorded example two metres from a known site: "I suddenly realised that all these things hadn't been recorded and hadn't been discovered … I made a determined effort to find some more".

The Guardian

At the end of the nineteenth century, a barber living in Mauritius found an almost complete dodo skeleton at an unrecorded spot on the island.

The New Yorker

Take a live, unrecorded performance.

The New York Times - Magazine

They found a mess: in 1999 and 2000, titles on both of the judge's theaters had changed hands without his knowledge; three properties were in foreclosure; an employee's sister had gotten title to a four-unit building; and the judge's own home had been transferred to a man named Franklyn Radix for an unrecorded sum.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always determine the choice between 'a' and 'an' based on the sound of the following word, not just the letter. Since 'unrecorded' starts with a vowel sound, use "an unrecorded" to ensure formal correctness.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use 'a' before words starting with 'u' because they assume 'u' always acts as a consonant. However, when 'u' makes an 'uh' sound, as in 'unrecorded', it functions as a vowel. Only use 'a' if the 'u' makes a 'y' sound, like in 'a university'.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unrecorded" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unrecorded" is intended to function as an indefinite article modifying an adjective, but it fails the standard rules of English phonology. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is non-standard because 'unrecorded' begins with a vowel sound (/ʌn/), which requires the article 'an'. In the provided examples, whenever 'a' appears near 'unrecorded', it is actually modifying a different, intervening word such as 'recorded', 'live', or 'previously'.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, the phrase "a unrecorded" is a grammatical error and should be avoided in all forms of writing. Ludwig AI consistently points out that 'unrecorded' starts with a vowel sound, necessitating the use of the article 'an'. A review of high-quality sources reveals that professional writers and editors always use ""an unrecorded"" when the adjective directly follows the article. The only instances where 'a' is appropriate are when an intervening word starting with a consonant sound is inserted, such as in "a live, unrecorded performance". To maintain a professional and polished tone, writers should double-check their article usage before words starting with 'u' to ensure they reflect the actual phonetic sound of the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unrecorded

The grammatically correct version using the proper indefinite article for a vowel sound.

an undocumented

Refers to something not recorded in writing or documents.

a previously unrecorded

Correct use of 'a' because it precedes the adverb 'previously', which starts with a consonant sound.

an unnoted

Describes something that has not been observed or written down.

an unobserved

Refers to events or facts that were never seen or logged.

an unlisted

Commonly used for items or people not appearing on an official record or list.

an unofficial

Suggests something that is not formally recorded or authorized.

a non-recorded

A hyphenated alternative that uses 'a' correctly before a consonant sound.

an off-the-record

Idiomatic expression for information not intended for public documentation.

a hidden

A more descriptive alternative for something that has remained out of the records.

FAQs

Is "a unrecorded" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a unrecorded" is incorrect. Because the word 'unrecorded' begins with a vowel sound, you must use the article ""an unrecorded"" instead.

Which is correct: "a unrecorded" or "an unrecorded"?

The correct form is ""an unrecorded"". The rule in English is to use 'an' before any word that starts with a vowel phoneme, regardless of the spelling.

When can I use 'a' before the word 'unrecorded'?

You can only use 'a' if there is an intervening word that starts with a consonant sound. For example, you would write "a previously unrecorded" event or "a live, unrecorded performance".

What can I say instead of "a unrecorded"?

You should use ""an unrecorded"", or if you want a different term, consider "an undocumented" or "an unnoted" detail.