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by Scoundral on June 14th, 2005
This varies moslty on wether you're British or American. A lot of words with silent "h"s (In America) are unsilent in Britain, and visa-versa.
Such as "herb", which the Americans pronounce 'erb and the British, herb. The converse is true of here, which the British pronounce 'ere and the Americans, here (although this is faded in lazy-tongued slang).
While it may not be the grammatic rule, it is certainly the trend. As for grammar, it stands on sound, not letter. If it sounds like a vowel, use "an". So Americans would say "An herb" whereas the British would say "A herb". Thus the rules are as liberal as the speakers.
by Aminor on June 9th, 2005
And that is I believe the rule: "a" before an aspirated "h," "an" before silent "h" because it will be followed by a vowel. Which means the treatment of "herb" depends on how you say it, but "history" will always take "a," except within the sound of Bow bells.
by Pink_Cupcake on April 14th, 2005
I sometimes use an before a word beginning with h, particularly silent h's, like honour. So if a word operates as though it begins with a vowel, i would use an, because its easier to say, whereas with a word like 'horrible', its easier to say 'a'.
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Comments
"Stands on sound" is the correct English.
by RedJohn on March 10th, 2006