"A operative report," "a accident," "a African American", etc.

In this age of texting and shorthand messages, these adulterations of the English language grind on the nerves and ears. Even if one wanted to join the mainstream and be thought of as socially acceptable and "cool," such egregious corruption of language should be avoided, if for no other reason than the desire to sound literate!

"A accident" or "there is a urgency to..." or "on a as-needed basis" or "a American in Paris" hurt the ears! There is no excuse for not knowing better, as the correct form is written everywhere, in every magazine or newspaper or book, and one assumes (perhaps I shouldn't) that the same people that speak this way also do read! If so, then they should naturally know that the article in those cases should be followed with an n, as in "an elliptical incision" or "in an afternoon."

Beside v. Besides

Beside - preposition. It means next to, alongside of. Ex. The book lay beside her on the sofa.

Besides - adverb. It means furthermore, in addition to. Ex. Besides Tom, Jennifer also wanted to be invited to the party.

Other examples:
Besides, I really don't care how much money he makes.
Beside the cottage was an enormous tree.
The boat was moored on the sand beside the carcass of a whale.
His response was an attempt at conciliation. Besides, it was really too late.