Correct option is A
Explanation:
The correct article to use in the blank is "an". The word "impassioned" starts with the vowel sound /ɪ/, so the appropriate article is "an" rather than "a."
In English grammar, the use of articles is determined by the sound that follows the article, not necessarily the first letter of the word. "An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, ensuring smoother pronunciation. In this case, the article "an" precedes "impassioned," which begins with a vowel sound /ɪ/ as in the word "imagine."
Information Booster:
The rule for using "an": The article "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound, not necessarily a vowel letter. This includes the sounds /aɪ/ (as in "eye"), /eɪ/ (as in "ate"), /ɪ/ (as in "impassioned"), /ɒ/ (as in "on"), /ʌ/ (as in "under"), /ʊ/ (as in "under"), and other vowel sounds.
Examples of using "an":
- "I have an apple."
- "She went to an office."
- "It was an interesting idea." The key factor here is the vowel sound that starts the following word, not just the letter.
The rule for using "a": On the other hand, the article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, such as:
- "She has a book."
- "He is a teacher."
- "There is a dog outside." In these cases, the following word begins with a consonant sound (like "b," "t," or "d"), so "a" is used.
The importance of vowel sounds: It’s important to note that "an" is used with any vowel sound, not just the vowels (a, e, i, o, u). For example, we say "an hour" because the "h" is silent, so the word "hour" starts with a vowel sound /aʊ/. Similarly, "an honest man" uses "an" because "honest" starts with a vowel sound due to the silent "h."
"An" is the correct choice because the word "impassioned" starts with the vowel sound /ɪ/. In English, we always use "an" before a word starting with a vowel sound to ensure a smooth, easy flow of speech.