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You say "an hour" but not "an hamburger", why?

2006-12-20 06:53:57 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Languages

10 answers

It’s not only writing, it is rather pronunciation.

an only child, but: a one-way
an uncountable number, but: a university
an heir, but: a heritage

Pronunciation is the key!

2006-12-20 07:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by saehli 6 · 2 0

If the first SOUND of the next word is a vowel, you use "an", otherwise you use "a".

Examples
an hour, an herb
a hotel, a heart
an eye, an echo
a ewer, a ewe, a eunuch
an orphan, an ostrich
a one
an umbrella
a unit, a university

2006-12-20 08:56:11 · answer #2 · answered by Taivo 7 · 1 0

The word "an" is put only before words that begin with vowels.
There are five vowels in the english language, i.e. 5 out of 26 alphabets. They are as follows:-

"a, e, i, o, u"

So now, all the words begining with these alphabets have "an" before them.

e.g. an apple, an egg, an ice, an owl, an umbrella

.........hope this helped.

2006-12-20 07:15:30 · answer #3 · answered by dangereouslysweet 1 · 0 0

Using "a" or "an" before the h- of the unstressed syllable of a few words is at the discretion of the speaker or writer. Some people say "a historic time", others say "an historic time." Some say "a hotel," others say "an hotel;" some say a "hysterical child," others "an hysterical child."

2006-12-20 07:04:32 · answer #4 · answered by zoomat4580 4 · 0 0

merely because 'Swimming, ' 'operating' has the double letters, doesn't propose each and every observe ending in "ing" is going to. in certain circumstances you may destroy down and merely memorize the words. i'm gaining knowledge of Spanish, and they're going to be a lengthy record, the position each and everything adjustments the same, and then, those type of words that you merely could keep in ideas because they substitute otherwise. So i rather appreciate each person speaking more beneficial than one language,,, it isn't undemanding in any respect !

2016-11-27 23:21:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

First of all, change "u" to "you" and write our your words.

The "an" goes before vowels. "Hour" isn't pronounced with a hard "h" like "hamburger."

Type things into Word first, and it will usually correct your grammar. Otherwise, ask your English teacher.

2006-12-20 06:58:26 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 3 0

Forget the other answers. In Brit. Eng. you use "an" before an unstressed syllable starting with "h". For example, "An historical Guide to . . ." However, you would say, " A History of . . ." because the first syllable is stressed. Easy.

2006-12-20 07:55:58 · answer #7 · answered by JJ 7 · 0 0

you say "an hour" because it has a very heavy vowel sound and the h is a slient letter, you a "a hamburger" because it does not have that heavy vowel sound

2006-12-22 16:52:12 · answer #8 · answered by why me? 4 · 0 0

the article "an" comes before any noun that begins with a vowel.

eg an umpire, an elephant

the article "a" comes before any noun that begins with a consonant.

eg a book, a laptop

2006-12-20 06:59:16 · answer #9 · answered by john s 2 · 1 0

cuz itdoz not mak cents

2006-12-20 06:57:00 · answer #10 · answered by AprilJade N 1 · 0 1

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