a file vs an file

The correct phrase is "a file." The use of "a" is determined by the sound that follows it, not the actual letter. Since "file" starts with a consonant sound, we use "a" before it.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1833 views

a file

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use "a file" when referring to a file that starts with a consonant sound. The choice of "a" or "an" is based on the sound that follows, not the actual letter.

Examples:

I need a file for the presentation.
She saved a file on her computer.
Please send me a file as soon as possible.

Show examples from the web [+]

Ask confirmation for deleting a file.
Open a file from a local folder.
The Member State concerned shall forward a file to the Commission.
The Member State concerned shall forward a file concerning the project to the Commission.
You must select a file or a folder.
If checked, use a file or a color as background.
We have a file on a Lasse Ljandi.
I discovered a file about a Societele project called Socrates.
Open file Opens a file for editing.
Read the key from a file.
Mr Antoine has sent a file to the Commission, requesting an interpretation.
View a file in ASCII or hexadecimal format simultaneously.
Edit a file in either ASCII or hexadecimal format.
Shows GHex main window before you open a file.
How to handle embedded color profiles when opening a file.
Write the selected error messages to a file
The filename you entered is not a suitable name for a file.
This will save the contents of the zoom window to a file.
A folder or a file named %1 already exists.
Writes given string to a file.

Alternatives:

a document
a folder
a report
a spreadsheet
a photo

an file

This phrase is incorrect in English. The use of "an" is reserved for words that start with a vowel sound.

Show examples from the web [+]

Audio alarms play an audio file without displaying any alarm message.
Forging an intelligence file is always tricky.
New File Creates an empty file.
An empty file with the cross-check flag should be sent subsequently.
Applicants must submit an application file containing the following:
An electronic file may replace the hard copy.
An empty file with the cross-check flag should be subsequently sent.
Shows GHex main window with an open file
Saves the zoomed view to an image file.
Unload a set of values described in an XML file.
List sections containing resources in an elf FILE
Apply the changes contained in the hunks to an original file.
Please select an archive file that should be imported.
Open an image file in Nautilus.
You need to define an output file or select the viewer.
Specify an arc file to be plotted against the background stars.
An older file named '%1 'already exists.
An object is an embeddable file, in one of many formats.
Cannot create a preview of an empty file list.
Exports the plotted graphs to an image file.

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a file vs an file

a file

an file

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