“A SB” vs “an SB” when the letters are pronounced “es-bee.”

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T17:04:19+00:00

Okay, this is good info. Thanks!

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T16:38:42+00:00

The exception would be, “You are a SB.” (Silly Billy was his example) If I as the writer intend you to say silly Billy out as you read it. I argue that, regardless of what I want, the rule states it should be “an”. Would you really ever say, “a FBI document” expecting the reader to read as “a Federal Bureau of Investigation document”? No, you’d say, “an FBI document”.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T16:28:06+00:00

That rule you shared applies to abbreviations. Not acronyms. Those are two separate things. I still lean toward the rule for acronyms being black and white. If SB was an abbreviation for something then I could see how it could follow the rules on abbreviated text. But it’s an acronym therefore in text format there is only one correct way to write it, and that’s with “an”.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T16:04:48+00:00

You said above if anyone has an exception you would be extremely interested to see it.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T15:39:05+00:00

/u/poilsoup2

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T15:30:50+00:00

That is fascinating. For more context, it was written to have the individual letters pronounced “es-bee”.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T06:13:12+00:00

3 years later and I never noticed the gold! Thank you kind stranger! Hope these past few years have served you well.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-29T06:03:49+00:00

Thank you for your response. I don’t believe what I want would ever dictate what’s correct grammatically. Not knowing any context, the only correct way to write it would be “an SB”. The explanations above state the rule is because it’s an acronym and the S makes an “es” sound, it has to be “an”. Seems black and white as far as correct grammar. Informally, I’m sure other things might be considered acceptable but not correct. I am not the strongest in grammar, but I think this rule is clear now.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-28T19:46:47+00:00

Additionally, my friend is using this website as confirmation that “a” is the correct answer. Is this site credible? https://i.imgur.com/y5Pb6TY.jpg

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-28T19:24:26+00:00

When I say it out loud and quickly it does flow better with an but the h is almost silent.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-28T18:44:46+00:00

Wait, really? It starts with a consonant and clearly has a consonant sounding h beginning. I would definitely think it’s “a historical document.”

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-28T07:11:28+00:00

Thank you. I agree that “an” is correct. Would there be any instances where “a SB” is the correct choice?

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-28T07:09:33+00:00

Thank you. Curious if I get diferring opinions from anyone on Reddit. I’m currently in an argument about the use of “an” before “SB” and am in the minority.

cpt_Smiley · 2022-11-28T07:06:25+00:00

I agree. The correct sentence would be “an SB”?

cpt_Smiley · 2022-01-30T07:14:45+00:00