You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
a usurper or an usuper
- Thread starter ripley
- Start date
- Views : 8,116
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
2006
Key Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2007
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- Canada
- Current Location
- Canada
"usurper" begins with a long u sound (like the word 'you'), so only 'a usurper' is correct.Hi, I'd like to know if I both a/an are possible before the noun usurper
Thanks Rip
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2004
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Italian
- Home Country
- Italy
- Current Location
- Italy
"usurper" begins with a long u sound (like the word 'you'), so only 'a usurper' is correct.
The problem is that John Donne wrote "I, like an usurp'd town" in his sonnet "Batter my heart" and even if I knew the rule I had some doubts...
Is it poetic freedom in Donne's case?
Thanks. rip
2006
Key Member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2007
- Member Type
- Other
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- Canada
- Current Location
- Canada
2006The problem is that John Donne wrote "I, like an usurp'd town" in his sonnet "Batter my heart" and even if I knew the rule I had some doubts...
Is it poetic freedom in Donne's case? I don't know. But John Donne died in 1631, so that is an old poem. Anyway, at least in North America, 'a usurper' is correct.
Thanks. rip
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2002
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- British English
- Home Country
- UK
- Current Location
- Japan
The problem is that John Donne wrote "I, like an usurp'd town" in his sonnet "Batter my heart" and even if I knew the rule I had some doubts...
Is it poetic freedom in Donne's case?
Thanks. rip
It could be that the pronunciation has changed since his time. There's an example of 'an usurpation' from 1838 in a legal text here (first line):
Reports of cases argued and ... - Google Books
mmasny
Key Member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2009
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Polish
- Home Country
- Poland
- Current Location
- Poland
The Great Vowel Shift seems to be guilty, doesn't it?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Ask a Teacher
If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:
(Requires Registration)