Wait a Minute– Is it “A RFP” or “An RFP”?
"A RFP" or "an RFP" - This is a common question we receive, so we thought we should address it and end the confusion once and for all!
You might see our company name, Once Upon an RFP, and wonder whether or not we’ve made an error.
“Wait a minute- doesn’t “an” precede a vowel in English?”
Well… yes, you’re correct. But before acronyms or, in our case, initialisms, the rule is to go by pronunciation.
Writing “a RFP” might appear correct, but when pronouncing “RFP,” the first sound begins with a vowel: “Are – Eff – Pea.”
This also goes for examples such as “an FBI agent” (Eff – bee – eye) and “an NBA player” (Enn – bee-ay).
It it important to remember that you should not use “an” before every acronym or initialism. Initialisms that begin with a consonant sound such as “CIA” (see-eye-ay) use “a.”
However, when you say the long-form “request for proposal,” you will switch back to “a request for proposal” to match the pronunciation.
This is one of many details that we have to look out for when writing and reviewing proposals. While “a RFP” might look correct on paper, “an RFP” is considered grammatically correct. When we write and review your proposal, we go over each section with a fine-toothed comb to pick out any areas where your reader might trip up. Our goal is to create a smooth, easy to read text. The easier the text is to read, the more your client will focus on the important stuff: you, your company, your amazing capabilities, and how you will solve their problem.
Whether you’re looking for help responding to “a RFP” or “an RFP” we’re here to help. Click here to learn more.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
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