A or an usual...?

[Piak]

What should you use the article with “usual” between “a” and “an”. Can I say a usual way or an usual way, because normally, we would see the usuals (the thing which is typically done or present) / in the usual fashion / the usual state.


Thank you
Piak

 

[Casiopea]

The first syllable of usual is pronounced [ju:], as in you, so use "a", not "an", with words that begin with the sound [j]. Other examples,

united [ju:]
Uganda [ju:]
university [ju:]

The rule is a phonetic one. It's based on sound, not what the letter looks like.

If a word begins with a vowel "sound", use an.
If a word begins with a consonant(al) "sound", use a. ;-)

 

[Piak]

Thank you Casiopea for your reply to this confusing usage of A & An in front of a word placed in front of Usual.

Best regards,
Piak