Discussion
In the sentence below, a part is printed in bold. Choose the alternative that best replaces it. If no improvement is needed, choose ‘No correction required’.
He has a unique ability to solve complex problems quickly.
Answer: E
Correct answer: a
The sentence is correct as printed: a unique ability. The choice between a and an depends on the sound a word begins with, not on the letter. Unique begins with the consonant sound yoo, so it takes a - as do a university, a European, a one-rupee note and a useful tool, all of which begin with a vowel letter but a consonant sound. The reverse case is just as common: words beginning with a silent h take an, because the first sound is a vowel - an hour, an honest man, an heir, an honourable member. The rule extends to abbreviations read letter by letter: an MP, an SDM, an FIR, because the letters are pronounced em, es and ef. A separate point about this sentence: unique is an absolute adjective and admits no very or most.
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