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 • 1379 views

a non-official

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

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

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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

an unofficial

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

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