Should I use "an" or "a"?

Question

I've been told you are supposed to use "an" before any word that starts with "h" even if the "h" is NOT silent. Is it "a highly respected man" or "an highly respected man"

william shakespeare, and my english teacher told me.

Answer 1

The rule that you have been told is not true. Below is a site that talks about when to use a or an. British English calls for "an" before an "h" word if the initial syllable of the word is unstressed (an historical) and "a" if the first syllable is stressed (a history). American English does not follow this from what I have seen. I'm attaching a link for that, as well.

Answer 2

This is a vague area. Your phrase "a highly respected man" is correct. The 'h' is sounded. However, I have heard "an hospitable climate" and "an hysterical outburst" and "an historical fact" used by educated speakers.

Generally, of course, you use 'an' only before a vowel, like "an apple" "an engine" or a silent 'h', like "an hour ago" "an honest answer"; also before a long 'u' sound, like "a universal truth" "a unique situation".

Just to complicate things further, the words "humble" and "herb" are often pronounced as "umble" and "erb" and would then have "an". But if you say "humble" and "herb" then you would use "a".

Answer 3

only when 'h' is silent u are supposed to use an but when 'h' is not silent there is no need for u to use an . and the sentence u asked, in that u should use a not an. the next time u have a difficulty in usage of words then read the sentence aloud with the diffrent words in the space u are confused with. the word which sounds better u should use that & it is mostly correct that way.

Answer 4

You're supposed to use "an" when the following word begins with a vowel (or sounds like it starts with a vowel) like A,E,I,O,U. So it's only when the "H" is silent.

"A highly respecting man" is correct.

Answer 5

Use 'an' before words which begin with a vowel. It is a highly respected man.

Answer 6

The answer is........ A highly respected man.
The ''h'' here is definitely not silent !!!
You do not say..... A ighly respected man...wrong wrong wrong!!!
It is not a silent ''h'' here. You pronounce the ''h'' in highly.

[edit] Silverramette below has the best answer, so I say !! :)

Answer 7

nope only use an if the word following starts with a vowel

Answer 8

i would use "a highly respected man"

Answer 9

If you can hear the first letter in the word, then use "a." If you cannot, use "an."

Since you hear the "h" in highly, use "a."

Since you cannot hear the "h" in honest, use "an."

Other examples:
Humble- a humble man
Hour- in an hour

Answer 10

use a in front of consonant sounds and an in front of vowel sounds.

"an honest man"

but

"a humble man"