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How do you address the MBA ? Is it A or An ?

Seems like a simple question but it can cause confusion

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Trying to get the Pronounciation right

If you're an MBA job seeker, then you know how important it is to get the perfect CV, cover letter and covering e-mails for your job applications. Sometimes certain jobs specifically mention the requirement of having the MBA, thus making it imperative to mention it as part of your credentials in a strong and confident manner.

However, try thinking about how to address the MBA, is it "a MBA" or "an MBA". You would think "a" because "an" is only used if the next letter begins with a vowel.

I too got stuck trying to figure this out (although I was pretty sure it was "an") and then I came across this article, which is reproduced below and clears the confusion.

Ever find yourself in a social situation where someone raises a question which stumps the room and generates a lot of opinions? This happened to me the other day when one of the current fulltime MBA students asked if he should write “a MBA” or “an MBA” in his CV.

So for those of us in doubt, here´s the “proper” answer according to the Chicago Manual of Style:

“Write what you say. MBA is an initialism, pronounced “em be ayy” or something like that). It begins, then, with a vowel sound: write “an MBA.” On the other hand, write “a master of business administration degree.” Initialisms and acronyms are generally intended to be read as such, whereas abbreviations (e.g., 5th St., read “fifth street”) are often meant to conjure the full form.”

Well, as it turns out I was right (as always).

(The Author is an MBA from AGSM,UNSW,Sydney and Kellogg School Of Management, USA. He is also the Founder and Editor of DelhiPlanet Media You can follow him on Twitter @kirtidhingra)

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Comments

24 September 2010

Kirti Dhingra

Wow, if people speaking the Queen's English too can get stumped by this then I can imagine the plight of people from the rest of the world.

Sometimes the most simple things make for the best articles ;)

Thanks for clarifying Kirti -I've been stumped by this for a couple of years! So it's AN MBA from now on:)