A SASE vs. An SASE
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A/An
I go with "A" because I consider it short for "A stamped, self-addressed envelope" is enclosed. And because "s' words usually call for an "a."
I go with "A" because I consider it short for "A stamped, self-addressed envelope" is enclosed. And because "s' words usually call for an "a."
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"Enclosed please find a return envelope with sufficient postage."
If the agent or editor are they're like me they zone out at "Enclosed please find" because they know how it ends. (Oh, look: there's an envelope with STAMPS on it. How cool is that!?)
It's when you don't enclose return postage they get annoyed.
Whether they make use of it or not is beside the point, it's a Professional Courtesy Thing on the sender's part.
If the agent or editor are they're like me they zone out at "Enclosed please find" because they know how it ends. (Oh, look: there's an envelope with STAMPS on it. How cool is that!?)
It's when you don't enclose return postage they get annoyed.
Whether they make use of it or not is beside the point, it's a Professional Courtesy Thing on the sender's part.
Hi - 'SASE' isn't a word, it's an acronym. If it was a word, like 'stick' it would be 'a'. (Phonetically S.A.S.E. begins with 'es'...
SASE
Most people I know use it as a word. I don't many people who spell it out. I sure don't. For me, it is a word, and is used like one, just as NASA is used as a word.
The rule with acronyms is that if one can be used as a word, it should be.
Hi - 'SASE' isn't a word, it's an acronym. If it was a word, like 'stick' it would be 'a'. (Phonetically S.A.S.E. begins with 'es'...
Most people I know use it as a word. I don't many people who spell it out. I sure don't. For me, it is a word, and is used like one, just as NASA is used as a word.
The rule with acronyms is that if one can be used as a word, it should be.
I don't know anyone who uses it as a word. In the UK it's SAE not SASE. I think NASA's become a brand, but it's still an acronym!!
Well the reason for the SASE is Self Addressed Stamped Envelope where as yours would only be Self Addressed Envelope.
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Since it's an acronym I would use an SASE. Someone might use it as a word, as in "a sase" but I am not going to make that assumption.
But in a query, I would just say "SASE enclosed for your convenience."
But in a query, I would just say "SASE enclosed for your convenience."
I always thought it was 'stamped addressed envelope'. Oh well, it must be UK government policy to reduce the length of acronyms for fear of them inadvertently turning into words
Maestrowork - I'd kiss you, but then people would talk.
...err, that's a metaphorical kiss...
I always thought it was 'stamped addressed envelope'. Oh well, it must be UK government policy to reduce the length of acronyms for fear of them inadvertently turning into words
Could be.
Maestro, that is an excellent suggestion. Start it with the acronym and avoid the whole mess.
Could be.
Maestro, that is an excellent suggestion. Start it with the acronym and avoid the whole mess.
It's no mess - it's just grammar. Which I suppose is a contradiction in terms..
It's no mess - it's just grammar. Which I suppose is a contradiction in terms..
Grammar's always been a mess for me. I was raised in a home where proper grammar was spoken. So throughout school I would use my ear to tell me which was correct and which wasn't. Which led to me not being able to explain a bit of it, but still acing the courses, thus not learning anything.
I can do it, I can pass the classes, I can't explain a single bit of it.
The only person I know with perfect grammar and grammatical knowledge is Stephen Fry, and as far as I'm aware he's not on this board, although, Stephen, if you are, look forward to working with you
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I seriously think this does not matter, because both have good reasons behind them. I doubt anyone will get rejected due to using a instead of an or an instead of a. Personally, I use an. I used to use a, but then I heard that was wrong somewhere.
...it was that conference call you had with me and Maestrowork, wasn't it?
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...now everyone's going to want to come along. We'll need to hire a bigger room.
Hi - 'SASE' isn't a word, it's an acronym. If it was a word, like 'stick' it would be 'a'. (Phonetically S.A.S.E. begins with 'es'...
Hillgate is correct, from what I understand. I read it in an article years ago (maybe WD?) Technically "an SASE" is more proper because it's "an es-ay-es-ee" though no one calls it that. But a complete sentence is more proper than a sentence fragment, yet most of us use fragments, even in queries. You don't always have to use the most proper form of writing, with exceptions of course. Nobody but the most uptight get bothered if you use "a SASE". True, there are uptight agents but I don't want to think they'd discard your query solely because you used "a SASE" instead of "an SASE".
The point is irrelevant, however. Why bother mentioning it at all? They will see the paperclip and attached SASE, and they will know what it's for. You're being redundant announcing that you have enclosed it. Show, don't tell, remember?
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The problem is sometimes the letter gets separated from the attachments. That's why ms. should have headers to identify it. And SASE should have your name and return address on it. So in your letter, it's probably wise to mention the SASE so they know to look for it -- if it's not still attached to the letter.
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