There are conflicting theories on whether to use “an” or “a” before these words. So, should we pronounce the “h” sound.<o:p></o:p>
Some British people pronounce ‘historic’ as ‘istoric,’ and that has led many Americans to believe ‘an historic’ is correct. Some say using ‘an’ is not correct.<o:p></o:p>
If you said the words "history", “historic”, and “historical” alone, you would hear an “h” sound, wouldn't you?
So you should say, “a history”, “a historic”, and “a historical”, shouldn't you?
The New Fowler's Modern English Usage, a British-leaning style guide, recommends that you say, “an historic” and “an historical,” but “a history.<o:p></o:p>
To sum up:<o:p></o:p>
- you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t
- it's six of one, half a dozen of the other
- you may be right; then again, you may be wrong
- you say Pōtātō and I say Pătătō
- you say up, I say down
- in the end, we may have a difference of opinion.
Sooooo....
What do you think?
What would you say?
Which pronunciation sounds right to you?
How would you pronounce these three lovely words?
Hi Laura...
You are not "off topic".
Fortunately, there are very few words that begin with the silent/mute "h". Here is a list:
hourglass
honest
honesty
honestly
honour
honourable
honourably
heir
herb (pronounced with a mute h in the US and pronounced with the h in the UK)
herbal (pronounced with a mute h in the US and pronounced with the h in the UK)
hourly
heirloom
a/an historic (event)
a/an historical (document)
The article "an" is always used before these words beginning with a silent "h"
The letter "h" is pronounced/voiced in most English words that begin with the letter "h", e.g.:
history, house, habit, hill, history, height, happy, hereditary, horn, horrible, hospital, host, human, and humour
I hope this helps...
Tiago and Elizabeth... Thank you for your good comments and examples.
It is true that both British and American English prefer to use "a history, a historic (something), and a historical (something), as well as a hotel.
