The article "a" can be pronounced /ei/ (as in the name of the letter A), or it can be neutralized into

a schwa sound (to sound like 'uh'). Usually, the schwa sound is used. However, the /ei/ sound can be used as well, at the discretion of the speaker. The /ei/ sound is often used to create contrastive stress. This would occur when emphasizing that there is only one noun rather than several, or when emphasizing that the noun is one out of many rather than being the only one in existance. The /ei/ sound can also be used in other contexts, such as when someone is deliberately speaking slowly and clearly. However, that is rare. The schwa sound is much more common. For example: What do you have there? I have a ('uh') bag. You must have a lot of bags, right? No. I have a (/ei/) bag. That's all. Do you have the bag with the money in it? No. I have a (/ei/) bag, but not the one you want. What was that, young man? You have a pad? No! I said, "I HAVE A (/ei/) BAG!"

When the definite article ("the") comes before a word that begins with a vowel, pronounce it like "thee." E.g. "<thee> elephant" When "the" comes before a word that begins with a consonant, pronounce it like "thu" (with a schwa sound). E.g. "<thu> car"

When do I use the preposition "of" in cases like: "exhibition OF art" or "art exhibition"???
When do I use the preposition "of" in cases like: "exhibition OF art" or "art exhibition"??? I'll give other examples: Should I say: "the song of The Corries" or "the Corries song"? "English grammar" or "grammar of English"? (I've seen both versions, is there a difference in meaning when I use "of"?) Should I say - "work of an artist" or "an artist work"? Is there a rule to know when I use "of" in such cases? Are both ways ok? Please let me know all about it, thank you!

4 years ago Report Abuse

imperato...

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In some of the cases you mention, you can also use the possessive, like this: 'The Corries' song', rather than, 'a song of the Corries' 'An artist's work', rather than, 'the work of an artist'. You should never write, 'grammar of English' (unless you are referring to an actual grammar book, as in 'I often use a grammar of English when writing essays'). This is because English is an adjective, as in 'the English language'.

Generally speaking, you would use either 'of' or the possessive 's' depending on the formality of what you are writing. In an academic context, for example, replacing possessive 's' with 'of' can be quite effective, whereas in more casual settings using 'of' instead of the possessive 's' can sound old fashioned.

4 years ago