grammar: a vs an

[JTsyo]

While writing, I noticed that "an one to one comparison" didn't sound right but "a one to one comparison" did. Which way is right? Is there an exception to the an before vowel rules?

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

one begins with a W sound, so "a" is correct here. I believe.

 

[tynopik]

yes, you use 'an' when it's followed by a vowel SOUND

 

[edro]

An goes in front of words with a vowel SOUND.

It's all about putting an audible break before a vowel sound, so the second word stands out more.

 

[blackdogdeek]

one begins with a W sound, so "a" is correct here. I believe.

This is my understanding as well. The choice is dependent upon the initial sound made by the following word.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I see "an historical blah blah blah" a lot. Often enough that it may not be technically wrong, depending on the author's own accent?

 

[rudeguy]

An goes in front of words with a vowel SOUND.

It's all about putting an audible break before a vowel sound, so the second word stands out more.

exception: Words that start with "H". Then you use "an" if you want to sound like a dick.

 

[Mark R]

exception: Words that start with "H". Then you use "an" if you want to sound like a dick.

The "h" in some words is technically a roughening of the follwoing vowel, rather than a consonant - so in "historical", the i is the first sound, and is a vowel sound, so the use of "an" is correct.

 

[who?]

I pronounce the h in historical.

 

[Drako]

http://www.grammar.com/a-vs-an-when-to-use/

For your reference. 🙂

 

[feralkid]

I see "an historical blah blah blah" a lot. Often enough that it may not be technically wrong, depending on the author's own accent?

Sure, if you're from England and use the silent "H" on certain words.

American English speakers sometimes adopt this; however, it makes them sound like illiterate poseurs.

 

[feralkid]

The "h" in some words is technically a roughening of the follwoing vowel, rather than a consonant - so in "historical", the i is the first sound, and is a vowel sound, so the use of "an" is correct.

The "H" in "historical" is a hard sound in American English. Well mostly; I'm never surprised by regional dialects anymore.


"gimme an ham sammich on Hweat bread, guvner.

 

[edro]

The "h" in some words is technically a roughening of the follwoing vowel, rather than a consonant - so in "historical", the i is the first sound, and is a vowel sound, so the use of "an" is correct.

Wrong.

If you pronounce historic as istoric, you're a moron and should not live in the US.

 

[rh71]

^ I think honor would be a more appropriate example.

It would be an honor.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Relevant: http://www.betterwritingskills.com/tip-w005.html

 

[BurnItDwn]

Jon Oliver pronounces historic as istoric, and he is not a moron and he lives in the US.

 

[tynopik]

Jon Oliver pronounces historic as istoric, and he is not a moron and he lives in the US.

notsureifserious.jpg

 

[Ichinisan]

exception: Words that start with "H". Then you use "an" if you want to sound like a dick.

Are you buying an house?

 

[Perknose]

Sure, if you're from England and use the silent "H" on certain words.

American English speakers sometimes adopt this; however, it makes them sound like illiterate poseurs.

The "H" in "historical" is a hard sound in American English; how did you miss this lesson in school?

No, it's not a hard sound at all! That statement completely misses the mark. It's not about any putative silent "h" at all. The subtlety of the truth of the matter seems to elude you.

Mark R has it right. Read and learn:

The "h" in some words is technically a roughening of the following vowel, rather than a consonant - so in "historical", the i is the first sound, and is a vowel sound, so the use of "an" is correct.

This nuance was listed in a grammar link above:

Articles with Words Beginning with ‘h,’ a or an

The consonant giving us the most trouble is probably h. When the h begins a word and the first syllable is strongly pronounced, you should use a.

a history of Europe (accent falls on his)

a hero (accent falls on he)

But when the beginning h is weakly pronounced (historic, habitual), you may use an, especially in British English.
an historic occasion (hisTORic)
an habitual offender (haBITual)

I'm a born and bred American. I love the English language. I, and every literate American I've known, including all my teaches and professors, instinctively say "an habitual." None of us are poseurs or morons.

 

[Perknose]

Wrong.

If you pronounce historic as istoric, you're a moron and should not live in the US.

You're a moron for not understanding the concept of "weakly pronounced."

 

[IronWing]

A one and a two

- Grammarian Lawrence Welk

 

[Drako]

I'm a born and bred American. I love the English language. I, and every literate American I've known, including all my teaches and professors, instinctively say "an habitual." None of us are poseurs or morons.

You all just fail at grammar.




😀

 

[rudeguy]

You're a moron for not understanding the concept of "weakly pronounced."

:rofl:

Today's subject nerds take to a personal level:

Use of the word "an".

 

[BurnItDwn]

notsureifserious.jpg

Its simple fact, meant to refer to Edros post about morons.

I myself was born in US so I say the H, but, many people born in UK do not, and people are allowed to immigrate to the US from the UK without being morons.

 

[Perknose]

:rofl:

Today's subject nerds take to a personal level:

Use of the word "an".

Lol, the battle is so intense because the stakes are so small! :awe: