an relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an relationship" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a relationship" because "relationship" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "She has always wanted to build a strong relationship with her colleagues."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As Mr. Smithen alludes to in his note, Microsoft has already signed a wide-ranging partnership with Nokia, in which the beleaguered phone maker will use only Windows Phone 7. It might be easier for Microsoft to buy the Finnish company, with which it already has an relationship.

The New York Times

And we're the exact opposite, so we struck up an relationship and we could probably learn a lot from them, and they could probably learn a lot from us, because we're not competing because they're not really doing anything outside of China and we're not entering China, at all.

TechCrunch

Croft's lyrics compare the premature end of an relationship to "dreaming of angels, and leaving without them", and touch on the private knowledge that is acquired through intimacy.

Wikipedia

eGFR was removed from the model as there was an relationship with uraemia and dialysis status removed as there was no statistically significant relationship.

BMC Nephrology

Linear regression analysis of pattern amplitude and visual acuity in normal and amblyopic patients indicated an relationship of y = − 0.072 x + 1.22 (−0.072) (x: amplitude, y: logMAR VA), which was statistically significant.

BMC Ophthalmology

Borowsky's first two points involve the interpretation of specific experimental results, specifically the evidence for an relationship among vibration attraction behavior (VAB), neuromast sensors located within the eye orbit (EO SN) and eye size based on the overlap of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for these traits.

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He uses a relationship as an example.

The New York Times - Books

A relationship is an equal partnership.

WikiHow

She began a relationship with a woman.

Independent

"It's a relationship, not a job.

Forbes

Have a relationship with a good person.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a relationship" instead of "an relationship". The article 'a' is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

Common error

Avoid using "an" before nouns that begin with a consonant sound. Remember that it's the sound, not the letter, that determines the correct article. For example, "a university" is correct, even though 'university' begins with a vowel, because it starts with a consonant sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an relationship" functions as a noun phrase, intending to describe a connection or association between entities. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as indicated by Ludwig AI, because the article "an" is misused.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an relationship" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "a relationship" because the word "relationship" begins with a consonant sound. While the intent behind using the phrase is understandable—to describe a connection or association—the error significantly affects its credibility and clarity. Remember to always use 'a' before words that start with a consonant sound, and 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound. Consider alternative phrases like "a connection" or "a partnership" for variety and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relationship

Corrects the grammatical error by using the article 'a' instead of 'an' before the consonant sound of 'relationship'.

a connection

Replaces 'relationship' with a similar term emphasizing the link between people or things, while maintaining grammatical accuracy.

a bond

Suggests a strong and affectionate connection, differing in connotation but similar in overall meaning.

a partnership

Implies a more formal or collaborative connection, changing the nuance slightly but remaining related.

a link

A more general term for connection, less personal than 'relationship' but still conveying an association.

an association

A more formal term implying a structured connection or affiliation.

rapport

Emphasizes a harmonious or sympathetic connection, changing the focus slightly.

a tie

Implies a binding connection, often used in a more figurative sense.

interrelation

A formal term suggesting a mutual or reciprocal relationship.

a dealing

Focuses on the interactions and transactions within a relationship, shifting the emphasis.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "an relationship"?

The correct way to say it is "a relationship". The article "a" is used before words beginning with a consonant sound.

Why is "an relationship" grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "an relationship" is incorrect because the word "relationship" begins with a consonant sound. The article "an" is only used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What are some alternatives to "a relationship"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a connection", "a bond", or "a partnership".

Is there a situation where "an" would be used before a word starting with 'r'?

Yes, if the 'r' is silent, such as in some pronunciations of "an heir". However, "relationship" is always pronounced with a consonant 'r' sound.