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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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an level

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an level" is not correct in written English.
The correct article to use before "level" is "a" since "level" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "We need to reach a level of understanding before proceeding with the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each contour represents an level of constant rgĝ, where the dashed lines represent a population study and the solid lines denote a case control design with w = 1/2.

Science

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Chung has A-levels and a conscience.

News & Media

Independent

Good A-levels.

Abolish the A-level?

My favourite A-level?

"A poet in the A-level anthology".

News & Media

The New Yorker

What about GCSEs and A-levels?

News & Media

Independent

GCSE and A-level results have improved.

News & Media

The Economist

"We will retain GCSEs and A-levels.

News & Media

BBC

Add your A levels.

Your A-Level results are extremely important.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "a" before "level" as it starts with a consonant sound. For example, use "a level of expertise" instead of "an level of expertise".

Common error

Avoid using "an" before words that start with a consonant sound. The article "an" is reserved for words starting with a vowel sound. Thus, using "a level" is grammatically correct.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an level" functions incorrectly as a noun phrase due to the improper use of the article. According to Ludwig, the correct article to use before "level" is "a", since "level" begins with a consonant sound. Using "an" before "level" is a grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an level" is generally considered grammatically incorrect because "level" begins with a consonant sound, requiring the article "a" instead of "an". As Ludwig AI points out, using "a level" is the correct form. While instances of "an level" appear in various sources, they represent errors or informal usage. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, always use "a level" when referring to a stage, degree, or position. Remember to avoid using "an" before words starting with a consonant sound to maintain proper grammar.

FAQs

Which is correct, "a level" or "an level"?

"A level" is the correct form. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, such as "level".

What are some alternatives to using "a level" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a certain level", "a degree", or "a stage".

How can I remember when to use 'a' versus 'an'?

Use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound and "an" before words that start with a vowel sound. For example, "a book" versus "an apple".

Is it ever correct to use "an" before a word starting with 'l'?

While uncommon, if the 'l' is silent or significantly unstressed and the following syllable starts with a vowel sound, "an" might be used. However, this does not apply to the word "level".

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: