When do you put une or un in front of a word?

You use un in front of a word to make it negative. You use une in front of a word that starts with a vowel or a silent "h".

Here's a breakdown:

Un:

* General negativity: This is used to create the opposite of the word it precedes.

* happy -> unhappy

* important -> unimportant

* lucky -> unlucky

Une:

* Vowel or Silent "h": This is a grammatical rule to maintain a smooth pronunciation.

* happy -> unhappy

* honest -> dishonest (Here, "h" is silent)

* able -> unable

* employé -> unemployé (French word starting with a vowel)

Exceptions:

* Words starting with "h" that is pronounced:

* hero -> unheroic

* historical -> unhistorical

* Some words have both variations, with slightly different meanings:

* unbearable (too much to bear) vs. unebearable (not able to be borne)

Remember: While these rules are generally true, there are some exceptions. If you are unsure, consult a dictionary or a grammar guide.