##  [A question of sound, not sight: “A” or “an”](/en/quiz/jeu-quiz-sound-not-sight2-eng)

Would you say **an** NHL referee or **a** NHL referee? It's **an** NHL referee. The indefinite article **an** is used before all vowel sounds except the long **u** sound (****a** united stand**) and before the silent **h** (****an** honourable politician**). And since the first letter of NHL makes the vowel sound **en**, it takes the article **an**.

Here are some questions to test your knowledge.

1. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) ATV (all-terrain vehicle)a

an

2. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) audit reviewa

an

3. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) hard diska

an

4. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) UN (United Nations) conferencea

an

5. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) NDP (New Democratic Party) membera

an

6. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) hearinga

an

7. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif)HD (high-definition) televisiona

an

8. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) publicationa

an

9. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) coursea

an

10. ![Placeholder for the answer](/sites/default/files/underscore_15_black-wet.gif) FTA (free trade area) tariffa

an

**Note:** Adapted from Charles Skeete's article "A Question of Sound, Not Sight" in **Terminology Update**, Vol. 29, No. 3, 1996, p. 14.