Using a or an; that's the question

FOUND ONLINE: Smart organizations know that an multi-generational workforce is good for business.

I've been trying to figure why the writer would say an multi-generational workforce, and I can't do it. A multi-generational workforce will do fine.

ALSO FOUND ONLINE: In that vain, it appears the team is likely to part ways with three players who were key starters throughout Miami’s 2017 campaign.

It's in that vein, not in that vain.

ALSO FOUND ONLINE: Add a complimentary back for Kenyan Drake.

I've said this many times: it's a complementary back, not a complimentary back. He may get compliments, but that's not the point of the word.

EMAIL: tgilli52@gmail.com TWITTER: EDITORatWORK

More EDITOR@WORK blog entries
• You really DO need an editor

• Reminders for would-be novelists

• What I do when I'm editing

• What I charge (it's a deal) and what I edit

• Slogging through the Internet

• J-school: More eyes on your stories

• J-school: Go out and learn

• Rookie mistakes for magazine writers

Entries from The Dog Blog

• Katie cried

• Growl and pull

• 13-plus years with my dog Lady

• ... said the spider to ...

• YIP! YIP! The stereo-sound huskies

• What Lady and Michael Jackson had in common

Blog entries from The Auto Racing Journal

• Angel in Black: Remembering Dale Earnhardt Sr.

(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)

• Then Junior Said to Jeff...

(the book of great NASCAR stories)

• My best day as a sports writer

• Wayne Auton: A life in racing

More blog entries by Tom Gillispie

• Resume for a writer and editor

• An editor's views on powerful writing

• Advice for be and would-be novelists

• Links to TG's stories online

• Favorite quotes

• What I do when I'm editing

Anecdotes by Tom Gillispie

• Good Samaritan

• The PRESS cap and my friend Mike

• Watching TV

• No luck with Billy Sims

• Wipeout at Death Valley

• Days with rainbows

• A desperate writer working in the dark

• Yer outta there!