Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Education And Learning
  4. / Education Subjects
  5. / English Words

by Doggie S on December 1st, 2007

Doggie S

Question

Help answer this question below.

Sometimes I see the article "an" before words starting with h. Is such usage correct?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 6 helpful answers below.

  • by Ephraim on December 1st, 2007

    Ephraim

    If the letter H is silent you use an, otherwise you use a simple a. It is an honour to answer you. It is a historical fact.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Audiotron on December 1st, 2007

    Audiotron

    Per educational standards it is ok. For the most part though, when written out "a" is used instead. I imagine the before H usage came about in spoken word, where sometimes you must be able to understand another clearly, so saying "an" before a silent H makes it clear.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Sketchy Mess Jeoffory on December 1st, 2007

    Sketchy Mess Jeoffory

    The school rule is that an must be used before words beginning with h in which the h is silent, such as honourable.
    http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-anh1.htm

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by AnonymousGuitarist on December 1st, 2007

    AnonymousGuitarist

    i've always wondered that as well.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by wander-er-er the vulcanologist on December 1st, 2007

    wander-er-er the vulcanologist

    It is the highbrow academic thing to do. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I don't. Think of it like this: "It's AN honor." Similarly, if you say "a historical" it might sound like you're saying ahistorical, which isn't the same thing. You can safely say "a house" because the H sound is hard and no one will mistake your meaning. I don't know what the actual rule is, though.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by .avallach on December 1st, 2007

    .avallach

    Yes, because in words like "honored" the H is more or less silent. A honored guest just sounds wrong, so you say "an honored guest."

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Sometimes I see the article "an" before words starting with h. Is such usage correct?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

A or an before words starting with h
A or an before words beginning with h
An before word starting with h
Before words starting h
An before words that start with h

Answerbag

a Demand Media company