A historical or an historical?

Question

I'm having a friendly disagreement with my English tutor. I've always been under the assumption that something is an historical event and he says it is a historical event. This sets my teeth on edge. Who is correct?

Answer 1

It is all in how you pronounce the word 'history', if you use a hard h, then "a historical" is fine. However, if you use a soft h and pronounce it "istorical", then "an historical" is fine.

Most people will use "an historical" but "a history" because of the shift in stress.

See source for details.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The rule is to use "a" before words with consonant sounds, "an" before vowel sounds, regardless of the word being modified. You don't say "an historical event" just because you could also say "an event".

Here's where it gets tricky-- it's not necessarily whether it's an actual consonant or vowel that determines it, but the sound as the word is said. For example, "a union" and "a one-legged man" are proper, as the word "union" starts with a y sound, and a w sound is heard in the word "one". Also, a silent "h" can make for a vowel sound, as in the soft o of "an honest man."

Does "historical" start with an "h" or a soft "i"? If you say it with an "a", you get a hard h sound. If you say it with an "an", you get a silent "h", simply because it sounds too awkward if you try to say it otherwise.

So while the case can be made that either is right. If you say the word "historical" by itself, it's said with a hard "h" (I almost said 'an hard "h"'). Thus, the nod goes to "a historical event" for proper form, but living language is about exceptions, and it sounds a bit less awkward and harsh to say "an historical event". The purpose of language is ease of communication, and this is easier on the ears, in my humble opinion.

Answer 3

It is a historical event. There are things that simply sound better with something they don't go with. Heh sounds like eh, and the human mind is used to going by sounds instead of what the words actually start with.

Answer 4

"A" and "an" is an indefinate article which goes with the noun, which in this case, is "event."
Historical is just an adjective describing "event"

"a" or "an" is used if the vowel starts with a consonant or vowel, respectively.
Since, in this case, the noun is "event" the correct phrase is "an historic event."
But, for example, the noun starts with a consonant, it would be "a historic day."

There are exceptions, for when things would be hard to pronounce, but the general rule is to follow the noun.

Answer 5

If the first syllable is stressed in a word starting with 'h', you say 'a' - e.g. a history, a hermit, a helicopter, a hospital.
If the second syllable is stressed, you can say 'an' (if you wish) - e.g. an historical account, an hospitable climate, an horrific crash.
.

Answer 6

I always use "a historical"; however, I believe it's correct either way, depending on whether the "h" is hard or soft.

Answer 7

It is 'a' historical... You use 'an' when the following word begins with a vowel OR a vowel sound like 'You are an honest person.'

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jlawler/aue/a-an.html