Why is the word "an" used before the word "historic" rather than "a"?

Answer 1

I think there is a rule about the a/an coming right before the h where you use the second letter. If the second letter is a vowel, than you use 'an', otherwise, an 'a'.

Answer 2

Both forms are used. There is a general rule in spoken English that we use "a" before a pronounced consonant and "an" before a vowel; thus we say a dog, a cat, a hamster, an apple, an oyster, an hour. Hour is spelled with an initial H, but the initial sound is a vowel. We also refer to a usual event. Usual begins with a vowel (U), but it is pronounced as a consonant (Y). We are all pretty consistent about how we do this. However, English speakers are not consistent in pronouncing initial H. Those who pronounce the H will say, "A History of the world." Those who do not pronounce it will say, "An history of the world." If you search with Yahoo, you will find both versions. So what the a/an choice tells us is whether the writer pronounces the initial H in the word in question. In the case of "historic," the stress is on the second syllable, rather than on the syllable beginning with H. The "his" part of the word is unstressed making it less likely that there is an audible H than in the word history where the stress is on the syllable with the H. So you are more likely to see "an historic" than "an history."

Answer 3

The same reason you use "an" before hour. It's all about flow. When you say "I will be home in a hour" It is very choppy, and rather difficult (you have to pronounce a, as you would normally). If you say "I will be home in an hour" it flows much nicer.

The same with Historic. "that is a historic castle". Doesn't flow well, but "that is an historic castle" Flows a little better.

There are so many exceptions to the rules of writing and speaking. It's amazing that we even learn it. I will be honest with you, I couldn't tell you why using "an" before a word that starts with an h is proper, only what I think. Flow!

Answer 4

The word "an" should be used before a word that begins with a vowel, or a word where the "h" is silent. That having been said, "an historic" is still correct do to a few exceptions. "An" has the same meaning as the word "a"; it is a derivative of the word "a" Technically, either one can be used. Use your head, what sounds proper.

Answer 5

It is an archaic form, based upon the former tendency of many to use a silent "aitch" (h) in the beginning of many words like "historic", so that it came out starting with the short "i" sound instead.
(As " 'istoric" rather than "historic".) This situation made many feel that "an" sounded better. However, in modern times, the usual tendency is to pronounce the initial "aitch" in these words, so really it is more correct grammatically to say, for example, "a historic occasion".

Answer 6

An is the older form, now used before words starting with a vowel sound, regardless of whether the word begins with a vowel letter. Examples: a light-water reactor; an LWR; a HEPA filter (because HEPA is pronounced as a word rather than as letters); a hypothesis; an hour.[1] However, it is still often considered proper to use an before any noun starting with h.

Answer 7

It actually depends on the pronunciation of the word. Some people drop the 'h' others do not. Typically either is acceptable in the vernacular, but "a historic event" is grammatically correct.

Answer 8

People tend to use "an" before "historic" in speech giving some semblance to the silent aspect of "h", although "a" is just as correct. However, in written form "a" preceding "historic" is the only correct form.

Answer 9

a is used before historic not an

Answer 10

Words of three or more syllables that start with "h" are treated differently by some speakers. (historic, hypothesis)
Which form you use is little more than a personal preference. Both usages are common enough to be considered correct in modern English.

Answer 11

In writing, there is no way to know if the author pronounces the H, so either works. What I find odd is using "an" with a ~pronounced~ H. I hear it all the time on the news.

Because I do pronounce the H, I never use "an," whether I'm speaking or writing.