<p>Not on the SAT, but grammar none the less, and where else would I discuss grammar. </p>
<p>Statement: "a euphoric effort"</p>
<p>Dilemma: Should "a" or "an" be used? I am thinking a because the use of eu makes an exception for using "a" instead of "an", but also somewhere I heard that the term follows the noun, and not the adjective. You wouldn't say "an fat elephant" but rather "a fat elephant". Am I correct, or crazy?</p>
<p>Whether a or an should be used is determined phonetically. With that said, the SAT will likely never test this rule.</p>
<p>You use “a” when the following word is not a vowel. A butterfly a bug a bee. You use “an” when the following word is a vowel. An elephant…</p>
<p>The above post is not quite right. The “a” versus “an” is a phonetic decision. The criteria for “an” is that the sound following the article is that of a vowel, and “a” otherwise. So not a “written” vowel but a vowel sound.</p>
<p>So: a euphoric effort, an unexpected turn, a united team, an untied shoelace, etc.</p>
<p>“a euphoric effort” sounds terrible.
‘‘an euphoric effort’’ sounds beautifully.
This is the answer.</p>