2006-08-11 05:07:37 · 13 answers · asked by Khasi 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Don't worry, man. I debated this question a few months ago in a phonology course and the answer came out to be 'An Historical'.
You see, the thing is that in isolation, the word has a definite 'H' sound. But when used in the conjunction with other sounds, the 'H' sound becomes reduced. So, instead of saying 'A Historical', which sounds all choppy, we say 'ANISTORICAL'. Any native speaker of English will pronounce it this way. For people who are not native speakers of English, than they will make the differentiation.
Apparently, the grammatical rule is that because the 'H' is supposedly present in the word, it should use the article 'A', but this is a case of pronunciation, my friend.
It didn't agree at first, but the explanation and research sold me.
2006-08-11 05:54:13 · answer #1 · answered by Nestor Q 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A historical.
2006-08-11 12:31:24 · answer #2 · answered by Rachel O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An normally comes before a word that begins with a vowel. In the instant that you used/named, historical is a modifier so it would depend on what word is after historical. For example-a historical fact/date or an historical event/occurrence Peace..
2006-08-11 14:06:20 · answer #3 · answered by wildrover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either can be correct. Some consider the 'H' sound at the beggining more consanant, and therefore it is unneccessary to have 'an' as opposed to 'a'. Others consider the 'h' more of a vowel sound, and therefore think that 'an' is neccessary. Further, 'An historical. . .' is almost archaic sounding, sort of like thee, thou, hast, etc. If you want a more archaic sound, 'an historic' works well and is okay to use. If it is for a school report though, you should use 'a historical', because it is common American practice and you won't get docked for it (or shouldn't)
2006-08-11 12:18:38 · answer #4 · answered by musikgeek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It used to be 'an historical', but that has become archaic.
Nowadays everyone uses 'a historical'.
I still prefer 'an historical' because the sound pattern sounds better, but you can't find progress, or it's opposite.
2006-08-11 13:52:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"a historical" would be correct. Words beginning with a vowel have an "an" before them and words beginning with consonent have an "a" before them.
OK, OK, I know... you hear the talking heads on the news say "an historical fact, etc" all the time... but that doesn't make it right.!
2006-08-11 12:12:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the past, grammar rules dictated an "an" before words beginning with "h." This has fallen out of common usage however, and "a historical" is now largely preferred.
2006-08-11 12:54:21 · answer #7 · answered by Rosasharn 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a historical. an only comes before vowel sounding first letters
2006-08-11 12:16:44 · answer #8 · answered by lsunny13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a historical ....H has a sound when it is the first letter in a word.
2006-08-11 12:13:17 · answer #9 · answered by Alexira 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England, at least, it's 'an historical.' US, not so much.
2006-08-11 15:34:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋