an valuable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an valuable" is not correct in written English.
The correct article to use before "valuable" is "a" because "valuable" begins with a consonant sound. Example: "It is a valuable resource for our research."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The above achievements provide an valuable reference for the optimal design of remanufacturing system.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Commenting on the survey, Wendy Berliner, Head of Education, Business and Professional at Guardian News & Media, said: "The inaugural Guardian Teacher Network survey provides an valuable insight into the thoughts of teachers working in the UK education system today.

The Guardian

It's features like these that have the potential to turn the Startup Health Network into an valuable resource for the space and the ecosystem at large.

TechCrunch

And of course, it can be an valuable asset when you host parties and it's too loud to hear your doorbell.

TechCrunch

Plant biomass is an valuable resource to man and the value of the biomass contents is related to the chemical and physical properties of its molecules (Pérez et al. 2002).

AMB Express

It was an valuable part of a larger conversation that grows more urgent by the day because each day, more lives hang in the balance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A) Valuable.

Huffington Post

It is a valuable set of stories.

The New Yorker

A degree is a valuable thing.

Independent

A tough watch, but a valuable one.

The Guardian - Film

But a valuable one.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "a valuable" instead of "an valuable". Remember that the article 'a' is used before words starting with a consonant sound, while 'an' is used before vowel sounds.

Common error

Avoid using "an" before "valuable". The correct form is "a valuable" because "valuable" starts with a consonant sound. Using "an" is a common grammatical error that can detract from your writing's credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an valuable" is intended to function as a determiner followed by an adjective, modifying a noun. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "a valuable". The intended function is to describe something as having worth or importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an valuable" is a grammatically incorrect construction. The correct form is "a valuable", as "valuable" begins with a consonant sound, requiring the article "a". As noted by Ludwig AI, using "an" in this context is a common error that should be avoided, particularly in formal writing. While similar phrases like ""a precious"" or ""a significant"" can serve as alternatives, ensuring the correct article usage enhances clarity and credibility in writing. Remembering the basic rule of articles—'a' before consonant sounds, 'an' before vowel sounds—is crucial for accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valuable

Corrects the grammatical error by using the appropriate article 'a' before 'valuable'.

a precious

Replaces 'valuable' with 'precious', indicating high worth or significance.

a significant

Uses 'significant' instead of 'valuable', emphasizing importance or consequence.

a worthwhile

Substitutes 'valuable' with 'worthwhile', suggesting that something is worth the time, money, or effort spent.

a beneficial

Replaces 'valuable' with 'beneficial', highlighting the advantageous or helpful nature of something.

a useful

Uses 'useful' instead of 'valuable', indicating practicality and effectiveness.

an asset

Replaces the whole phrase with 'an asset', rephrasing it as a resource.

a boon

Replaces the whole phrase with 'a boon', defining it as a benefit.

a treasure

Uses 'treasure' to imply the definition of great value and importance.

an advantage

Replaces the original phrase to convey the idea of having a good start.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something has worth, "a valuable" or "an valuable"?

The correct phrase is "a valuable". The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while "an" is reserved for words starting with a vowel sound. For example, "It is "a valuable asset"".

What can I say instead of "a valuable"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant", "a precious", or "a worthwhile" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a valuable resource" or "an valuable resource"?

"A valuable resource" is correct. The article "a" precedes words starting with a consonant sound, like "valuable".

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

Think about the sound of the word following the article. If the word starts with a vowel sound (even if it's not a vowel letter), use "an". Otherwise, use "a". For "valuable", the 'v' sound is a consonant, so it's always "a valuable".