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an unexpected situation vs a unexpected

'An unexpected situation' is the proper English phrasing. 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.
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Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: January 15, 2025 • 7583 views

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.
  • Nov 22, 2021 ... An unexpected situation (from a random idea came to my head). Explorers. r/MysteryDungeon ...
  • An unexpected situation can be the right time to share the gospel. July 25, 2023. Hi, my name is Sienna*. For two years my husband and I shared the message ...
  • Feb 21, 2021 ... 16. Downvote Award Share. EaseFluid9407. • 4y ago •. Your wife has had a mixed baby due to an unexpected situation. Upvote 32. Downvote Award
  • An unexpected situation. Thread starter Johnny; Start date Yesterday at 8:05 AM · J · Johnny. New member. Yesterday at 8:05 AM. #1. I seem to have gotten ...
  • Aug 4, 2019 ... Have you ever found yourself in an unexpected situation and surprised yourself with how you dealt with it? All related (100+). Recommended.
  • An unexpected situation in isolated nasopharyngeal mass differential diagnosis: Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma · Highlights · Abstract · Keywords.
  • Feb 18, 2021 ... The lobby has closed due to an unexpected situation. ... Every time I join a lobby I get kicked and it gives me that error, what do I do? I can't ...
  • ... An Unexpected Situation..." After installing Office Connector on a new PC or where Microsoft Office was recently installed/activated you receive a message ...
  • Aug 30, 2024 ... Oracle Self-Service Human Resources - Version 12.2.11 and later: An unexpected situation occurred while executing routine FND_DATA_SECURITY.
  • Jul 15, 2021 ... This incident became an unforgettable lesson for Mohana and Divya too. Sometimes we may come across an unexpected situation which becomes an ...

a unexpected

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

  • Sep 19, 2024 ... Virginia - Maple Leaves for a Unexpected Fall Quilt. September 19, 2024. "autumn", "fabric", "quilts", "stash", "teaching", Play, Quilters ...
  • Jan 6, 2022 ... A Unexpected Event (Honkai Impact 3rd x Male Oc). A Unexpected Event (H... RyuseiYakihiro. Reads. Reads 42,979. 42,97942.9K. Votes. Votes 795.
  • Nov 22, 2020 ... Visual Studio ran into a unexpected problem issue in 16.8.0 Closed - Duplicate View resolution 1 3.. 1Votes. BSBhuvesh Seth [MSFT]. - ...
  • Jan 7, 2024 ... Today is a unexpected surprise ... Archived post. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Upvote
  • Dec 16, 2022 ... Freshman first semester: a unexpected success. As a freshman, many parts of high school turned out differnt than anticipated. Photo taken ...
  • Jul 11, 2013 ... Found a penny press machine in Epcot. Pressed for design A... Unexpected results.
  • Jul 9, 2021 ... ... a: Unexpected response code 404 for https://play-fe.googleapis.com/fdfe/allowInAppReview?doc=com.marcetown.myapp. I believe I am getting this ...
  • Oct 7, 2022 ... Say mashima pulled a unexpected and this ends up happening.. would you be mad? [media] · Best · Top · New · Controversial · Old · Q&A ...
  • Jun 14, 2019 ... Either way, a date on a calendar is a date. When it becomes unexpected, it sounds right to me to say an unexpected date instead of a unexpected ...
  • Homeschooling After a (Unexpected) Break. By Jenn / Work the plan. Getting started back into homeschooling after an unexpected break doesn't have the same ...

Alternatives:

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

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