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"a usb" vs "an USB"

The correct phrase is "a USB." The use of "a" or "an" depends on the sound that follows it, not the actual letter. Since the pronunciation of "USB" starts with a consonant sound ("yoo-es-bee"), we use "a" before it.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

a usb

This is correct. The use of "a" or "an" depends on the sound that follows it, not the actual letter. Since the pronunciation of "USB" starts with a consonant sound ("yoo-es-bee"), we use "a" before it.

Use "a USB" when referring to a USB device. Remember to use "a" before words that start with a consonant sound, even if the first letter is a vowel.

Examples:

  • I need to buy a USB for my computer.
  • She plugged a USB drive into the port.
  • He handed me a USB cable to connect the printer.
  • Do you have a USB stick I can borrow?
  • The teacher asked for a USB flash drive to save the presentation.

Alternatives:

  • a flash drive
  • a memory stick
  • a thumb drive
  • a portable storage device
  • a data stick

an USB

This is incorrect. The article "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound. Since the pronunciation of "USB" starts with a consonant sound ("yoo-es-bee"), we use "a" instead of "an."

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