a non-official vs an unofficial

Both "a non-official" and "an unofficial" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "A non-official" is used when the following word starts with a consonant sound, while "an unofficial" is used when the following word starts with a vowel sound.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1567 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"a non-official"

Use "a non-official" when the following word starts with a consonant sound, such as "a non-official document."

Examples:

a non-official statement
a non-official source
a non-official event
a non-official meeting
a non-official document

Show examples from the web [+]

A delegation using a non-official language shall provide for interpretation into one of the official languages.
Now, every once in a while someone is selected to be a non-official cover operative or N-O-C, NOC.
Can I say as a non-official admirer, as it were, that I recognise that the report by Mrs Hautala contributes significantly to a Commission proposal which will, I would judge bring a combination of environmental and economic benefits to our citizens.
I was a... non-official covert op in Cairo.
This information was published by the Lusa news agency, citing a non-identified official source.
The Regulation addresses the issue of support for a number of specific non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities in countries covered by the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI Regulation nº1905/2006).
The Regulation addresses the issue of support for a number of specific non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities in countries covered by the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI Regulation No 1905/2006).
How can the European Union teach Iran or Cuba about democracy when that woman, who manages its external service, is herself a non-elected official?
You think about you. I reply to non official questions.
There are two groups of what we may term non-official languages.
You flew to Brazil with your service passport on non-official business.
The shooter you took down was an Inter-Services Intelligence agent working under non-official cover.
Everyone knows this, and it has even been published in non-official publications.
There is a need to better protect non-officials who are deemed to be under threat because of their contribution to or impact on the public debate.
Other non-official voices, which the Chinese authorities have repressed, have also met with similar obstacles.
Michael will be going down there as an agricultural specialist with the Mayan Coffee Company. Non-official.
The CIA uses cryptograms like that to assign to non-official cover agents working the same case.
The report is quite right to warn against the non-official censorship and self-censorship that come about when certain topics are excluded from the public debate.
Finally, there are concerns over information regarding 'secret' executions, which the NGO has been informed of by non-official sources in at least 15 Iranian prisons.
In 2005, according to non-official statistics, 400 people passed every day in front of the bar mentioned in the text.

Alternatives:

an unofficial

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"an unofficial"

Use "an unofficial" when the following word starts with a vowel sound, such as "an unofficial agreement."

Examples:

an unofficial agreement
an unofficial statement
an unofficial source
an unofficial event
an unofficial meeting

Show examples from the web [+]

And Sidney Purcell will stay on as an advisor - in an unofficial capacity.
According to an unofficial source, the leak has not been located.
The fact that China has sought to interfere with an unofficial election taking place in another sovereign neighbouring state is an indication of its leaders' contempt for democracy and their paranoia about Tibet.
Ducky... we need an unofficial mediator.
Datatech has something of an unofficial dress code.
Three darts and an unofficial invention of Wayne Electronics.
This is like an unofficial promotion.
It's an unofficial sublet to a company called Eastwick Receivables.
Serves as an unofficial diplomat when needed.
Agent Mulder and I are here in an unofficial capacity.
Levying what one might call an unofficial handler's fee.
We need an unofficial way to get the word out.
I made an unofficial move on the situation in Syria.
I heard you were this close to an unofficial execution.
We were perhaps hoping to have achieved a result already in an unofficial trialogue.
These various revisions may cause difficulties for the intended users of this legislation even though the Commission has initiated an unofficial coordination of the applicable regulations.
Chuck, over there, he acted as kind of an unofficial assistant to Patricia.
We're having an unofficial meeting at an undisclosed location.
Indeed, this union would cement what has long been an unofficial alliance between our kingdoms.
I just wanted to get kind of an unofficial head start.

Alternatives:

a non-official

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a non-official vs an unofficial

"a non-official"

"an unofficial"

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