Thread: Parenthetical Articles

Similar to my post a few months back about how parentheses affect plurality, I've now got a question about how they affect articles.

Everyone knows that the article "a" precedes words that begin with consonant sounds, while "an" precedes words that begin with vowel sounds. Question is, what happens when parentheses are added to the mix?

I have an apple. <- easy use of "an"
I have a (red) apple. <- correct?

I would let my ear be my guide. I have an (red) apple -- sounds like crap.

What Terry said.

I think you're correct, it's a (red) apple. We add the n sound to separate the two vowels, so it's unnecessary if there's something else to separate them, right?

Well, it's just interesting to hear these responses when the (one) answer to my parenthetical plurality question was essentially, "words in parentheses don't count as a part of the sentence." Perhaps it's different because it's a spoken thing, but it just seems odd to me. Maybe some of you can weigh in on the other thread?

I think the issue in this one is that our indefinite article "a" come from the French "un"; in French, n as a final consonant is never pronounced unless it occurs before a vowel, and we've carried that forward because it's useful. I'll take a gander at the other thread... ah, grammar, I love it so...

I am reposting what I wrote for your other question (in purple) under this answer.

The words in the parentheses are part of the sentence. It is just that they can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Therefore use 'a' to agree with red not 'an' to agree with apple.

My question is why (oh why oh why) are you enclosing things this way? Even an (older) writer like me doesn't do this.

The problem is the use of parentheses. These are used around words that clarify or are used as an aside.

My mother planted lots of flowers (tulips, daffodils, begonias) in her garden.

My mother insisted (she always did) that I behave like a lady.


In the examples the words in the parentheses are neither clarifying or an aside.

Proper planning (and design) is/are crucial
A priest (and a rabbi) walk/walks into a bar

So they are incorrect.