an unexpected situation vs a unexpected

The correct phrase is 'an unexpected situation.' The use of 'an' before 'unexpected' follows the rule of using 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound. 'Unexpected' starts with a vowel sound, so 'an' is used. 'A unexpected' is incorrect because 'unexpected' does not start with a consonant sound.

Last updated: March 22, 2024

an unexpected situation

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use 'an unexpected situation' when referring to a situation that was not foreseen or anticipated.

Examples:

It was an unexpected situation that caught us off guard.
She found herself in an unexpected situation at work.
An unexpected situation can lead to new opportunities.
Dealing with an unexpected situation requires quick thinking.
The team handled the unexpected situation with grace.

Show examples from the web [+]

Attracted rather by an unexpected situation in which the designer is involved.
Sorry, this is an unexpected situation
give growers the possibility of obtaining compensation for crop abandonment in the event of an unexpected temporary adverse situation caused by excessive supply on the market;
Now, the unexpected situation in the Middle-East has diverted attention from our objectives.
The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 foresees the possibility to modify the MFF in order to respond to unexpected situations.
The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 foresees possibility to modify the MFF in order to respond to unexpected situation.
The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows to modify the MFF in order to respond to unexpected situations.
Mr Graefe zu Baringdorf, I am sure you realize that we are confronting a completely unexpected situation because of what happened yesterday evening.
In addition, current European Commission practices should be improved, so that it does not take unduly long to resolve any problems that may arise, and to allow a swift response to unexpected situations.
Like the majority of political groups, your rapporteur considers that more flexibility should be introduced in the Financial Perspective to respond to unexpected situations and that less rigidity should exist between the different headings.
I have been doing my best to deal with a quite unusual and unexpected situation, and now, Mr Graefe zu Baringdorf, I can give you the floor on behalf of your group.
And sometimes, in totally unexpected situations... like in America, for example... when somebody asks me if I'm a Jew, I say no.
Member States shall ensure that timely and adequate management measures are taken when they are aware of unexpected situations that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, an adverse impact on bathing water quality and on bathers' health.
Unexpected situations can always arise more easily wherever we do not keep abreast of affairs, and vice versa: every newly arising problem can be handled more easily wherever there are well-functioning relations.
Member States shall ensure that timely and adequate management measures are taken when they are aware of unexpected situations that have, or could reasonably have, an adverse impact on bathing water quality and on bathers' health.
We consider that this would not only improve the funding of the second pillar of the CAP, but that it would make it possible to deal with disasters or unexpected situations with the speed and efficiency that such events require.
In view of the possibility of air traffic controllers being confronted with unexpected crisis situations (e.g. aircraft hijackings, bomb threats), it is important for this aspect of training to be stressed in the directive.
Criticism of the intention to give air traffic controllers extra responsibilities, relating to 'unexpected crisis situations (for example, aircraft hijackings, bomb threats)', which go beyond their normal duties.
Nobody calls me the guy who defuses situations with unexpected compliments, but that doesn't mean it's not true.
Mr President, President-in-Office of the Council, Commissioner, with the decision-making arrangements we have in the European Union, there is the chance occasionally to experience unexpected and exciting situations.

a unexpected

This phrase is incorrect in English. 'Unexpected' starts with a vowel sound, so 'an' should be used instead of 'a.'

Show examples from the web [+]

We had a-a unexpected visitor at the office.
This is a very unexpected turn of events.
The reaction caused gas turbulence of a totally unexpected magnitude.
I know it's a little unexpected.
That is environment coming in a very unexpected place.
My employer sends his gratitude, a most unexpected benefit.
There were a few unexpected casualties along the way.
This is a very unexpected turn of events.
Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source.
So this was a little unexpected.
She's a textbook unexpected interloper.
It all happened in a very unexpected way.
We'll pay the councilwoman a little unexpected visit.
The end was a bit unexpected.
Master storyteller Malcolm Gladwell tells the tale of the Norden bombsight, a groundbreaking piece of World War II technology with a deeply unexpected result.
Mr Graefe zu Baringdorf, I am sure you realize that we are confronting a completely unexpected situation because of what happened yesterday evening.
What a totally unexpected but welcome surprise!
It reacted in a very unexpected way.
Despite your somewhat inappropriate behavior towards His Lordship, the fief was prepared to engage you, when a completely unexpected problem arose.
Images beamed back from a spacecraft currently orbiting the red planet, show evidence of a very unexpected event.

Alternatives:

a surprising situation
a sudden turn of events
an unforeseen circumstance
a shocking development
a startling occurrence

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an unexpected situation vs a unexpected