Yorvin A. Luna Wisky
It's grammatically correct always use the article "an" before words that begins with "h"? The thing is that I've noticed when you say "una hora" in English is "an hour", nevertheless, when you try to say "un hotel" in English is "a hotel". Somebody can explain me that rule? I can't figure it out.
Jun 5, 2019 2:56 PM
Answers · 11
5
This isn't about grammar - it's about phonology. The basic rule is extremely simple: we use 'a' when the following word begins with a consonant sound, and we use 'an' when the following word begins with a vowel sound. Note that this is about SOUNDS, not spelling. In most cases, we pronounce the 'h' at the beginning of words. This is a consonant sound, so we use 'a'. For example: a hat a house a hamburger However, there are a few words beginning with 'h' where the 'h' is silent. Words which have a silent 'h' begin with a vowel sound, so they are preceded by the article 'an'. The most important of these words is 'hour', which is pronounced exactly the same as 'our' - as if the 'h' were not there. The word 'honour' (spelt 'honor' in American English) also has a silent 'h'. Here are some examples: an hour an hourly service an honour an honest man There are also a few words where the 'h' is sometimes pronounced and sometimes not: a hotel ( usual in modern English) an hotel (formal/outdated English) an historic moment (rather formal and old-fashioned) a historic moment (acceptable in modern English) an herb (only in American English) a herb (elsewhere in the English-speaking world) I hope that helps.
June 5, 2019
3
Hey! I will. In the example of 'an hour', you don't pronounce [h] sound in the word, cuz' it's silent, so basically it starts with [a]. To make it easier you should write and pronounce 'an hour'. Instead in 'a hotel' you do pronounce [h], so if a word starts with a consonant you need the article 'a'. Hope I've helped you.
June 5, 2019
Hi, I wanna friend who teach me English. I will ready to teach Tamil..
June 5, 2019
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