Is it "a" RO/DI or "an" RO/DI?

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I got teased by a local reefing group for calling my filter a RODI (pronounced like "roadie").

I mean, if we're already not saying the full words, what's the issue with taking it one step further?

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

a RO/DI

RO/DI starts with an R, so you use "a"
if it started with a vowel, you would use "an"

That's always the rule I use.

a revolver
an encyclopedia
a nun
an adventure

Words beginning with a vowel but don't use the "an" article (145 results)

Words beginning with a vowel but don't use the "an" article. Full list of words with these elements: use, union, university, unit, user, unity, universe...

www.wordexample.com

Just gonna leave this right here and let the argument continue. It is making my Friday afternoon at work go by.

You are all awesome. LOL thank you

 

[Soren]

I mean, if we're already not saying the full words, what's the issue with taking it one step further?

This is the reason I may type it either "a" or "an" RO/DI unit, since I prefer it properly read as individual letters and say it like that most often in my head while typing, but still get lazy sometimes and say "a roadie unit" in my head while typing...
I do think proper rules have already been clarified on this thread but also understand that most will not feel the need to be particular enough to care in common communication.

 

[i cant think]

Well now I feel like I’ve been doing it wrong. I always used An RO/DI when it’s said “RO” but when it’s said Reverse Osmosis I’ll use A.

 

[Mark Goode]

My family originates from Yorkshire. It has has to be "t'RO/DI unit."

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My family originates from Yorkshire. It has has to be "t'RO/DI unit."

You win!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I spell out the letters when I say RO/DI, so that makes it “an RO/DI” just like “give me an R” in a word game, not give me “a R”.

Right or wrong, I always go by what sounds right, and “an R” sounds right to me.

 

[KrisReef]

Let us call it “an Osmosis Reverse De-Ionization “ unit to help settle the mixup. “ORDI” sounds more ordinary to me.
It’s pronouns are fluid of course.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

I don’t think we’ll ever know what is right. One of the great 7 mysteries of the world

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

Let us call it “an Osmosis Reverse De-Ionization “ unit to help settle the mixup. “ORDI” sounds more ordinary to me.
It’s pronouns are fluid of course.

Yes, now we are GETTING SOMEWHERE lolol

 

[jabberwock]

Ugh, my pet peeve. A RODI system is correct. It does not matter how you FEEL about it. Even worse, the misunderstanding of the word data. It is plural. The "data are", not the "data is"...

 

[PeterC99]

In NY we just say “da” RO/DI unit.

Amazing how everyone understands and no one bothers to correct!

 

[Soren]

Ugh, my pet peeve. A RODI system is correct. It does not matter how you FEEL about it. Even worse, the misunderstanding of the word data. It is plural. The "data are", not the "data is"...

Not to dig this up again and continue a "finished" discussion, but did you read the thread or just share your opinion?
I would argue strongly that, independent of my feelings, the rules are quite clear on when it would be "an" RO/DI system and "a" RO/DI system (both are correct depending on how the acronym is considered, individual letters vs. combined "word".)
You are correct about data, and the improper grammar case is commonly used in spoken language in America today.

Sorry to bring up discussion again on a topic that probably bores or annoys most people, but I do like to know the rules when possible. This discussion probably gimbles into people's heads, causing them to gyre about!

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

Ugh, my pet peeve. A RODI system is correct. It does not matter how you FEEL about it. Even worse, the misunderstanding of the word data. It is plural. The "data are", not the "data is"...

The correct answer is not one or the other, but it is actually both!! Something I was aware of pre-posting this. Was mostly bored on a Friday at work and wanted to get an argument going. I had a lot of fun.

also - does this “data” rule hold true for all application? I am thinking, if the “data” was specific to a single calculation, like the temperature of the ocean at an exact time & location, would it not be “the data is?”

 

[i cant think]

Ugh, my pet peeve. A RODI system is correct. It does not matter how you FEEL about it. Even worse, the misunderstanding of the word data. It is plural. The "data are", not the "data is"...

The one issue with the English language no matter where you are (England/UK, America, Australia, Canada ect…) there is always exceptions to these rules. Over here, one of the first things were usually taught in schools is that no matter the rule, there will essentially always be exceptions.
The RO/DI situation is one of many exceptions for the A/An.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I am a redneck. What is "a" and "an"

Dat RODI unit.

Used in a sentence.

You reckon dat RODI unit is workin?

Dat RODI unit is over yonder.

 

[Mark Goode]

I am a redneck. What is "a" and "an"

Dat RODI unit.

Used in a sentence.

You reckon dat RODI unit is workin?

Dat RODI unit is over yonder.

Thas summat up wi' t'RODI!* (pronounced roar - di)

*The RO/DI unit is not working properly

 

[ScubaFish802]

The things I've learned on R2R

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

Thas summat up wi' t'RODI!* (pronounced roar - di)

*The RO/DI unit is not working properly

I will forever call my unit now a “roar-di” and also did I mention my winder needs rolling down and the oral needs changin

 

[Soren]

The correct answer is not one or the other, but it is actually both!! Something I was aware of pre-posting this. Was mostly bored on a Friday at work and wanted to get an argument going. I had a lot of fun.

also - does this “data” rule hold true for all application? I am thinking, if the “data” was specific to a single calculation, like the temperature of the ocean at an exact time & location, would it not be “the data is?”

A specific point of a collection of data is technically a "datum" (singular). "Data", as @jabberwock stated, is the plural form of "datum".