Question for English nerds

[c53x12]

OK, say I am writing something that uses an acronym like "RDBMS" (relational database management system), which is commonly pronounced "Arr Dee Bee Emm Ess".

 

If you say it like the acronym, it seems like should have "an" in front of it, e.g. "Company X bought an RDBMS".

 

If you say the entire decoded phrase aloud, though, it needs "a" in front of it, like "DB2 is a relational database management system without peer."

 

Is there a rule for which is correct to use? I seem to run across this all the time in my acronym-laden world.

[Atticus]

I'll defer, as always, to caliberwurst for the answer, but just reading this post made me a little wet.

[caliber66]

I always use the indefinite article as if I am reading the letters aloud. I have no idea how Messrs. Strunk & White would feel about it, but it feels right to me, so it must be right, because I'm always right.

 

So "an RDBMS," but "a UPS."

[owl]

Yep.

[Mrs. Peel]

Thirded.

[Sir Stewart]

Thirded.

This you come out of hiding for.

[PigSooie]

This you come out of hiding for.

 

 

[bjorn_skurj]

I always use the indefinite article as if I am reading the letters aloud. I have no idea how Messrs. Strunk & White would feel about it, but it feels right to me, so it must be right, because I'm always right.

 

So "an RDBMS," but "a UPS."

The VC Usage Security Council is in accord. If it's a vowel sound, it gets the "an."