Is this grammatically correct?

Question

I remember being taught that a noun beginning with a vowel and the letter 'h' should be preceded with 'an' rather than 'a'
e.g. 'an house', 'an apple' 'an auction'
sometimes it just doesn't sound right.
Anyone know the rule

Answer 1

Any word starting with a consonant should have "A" in front of it. Any word beginning with a vowel (A,E,I,O,U) should have "AN" in front of it. But sometimes the "H" is silent like hour or honest.

EX:
Dinner will be ready in AN hour.
A house
An apple
An auction

Answer 2

I'm sure we all agree that a noun beginning with a vowel is generally preceded by "an". Indeed, the second word needn't be a noun, as in "an elegant dress".
The rule isn't absolute, though. You would say (and write) "a one-horse town", because "one" is pronounced as if it started with a consonant.

As to "a" or "an" before words beginning with "h", The Oxford Companion to the English Language says that "an" is sometimes used, especially where the "h" isn't pronounced, as is often the case with "hotel". It goes on to say that some pronounce the "h", leading to controversy, and that in any case some regard "an" before an "h" as being slightly pretentious.

So, it doesn't look as though there is a hard and fast rule about "an" before "h"

Answer 3

'an house' is incorrect unless the 'h' remains silent. Once you pronounce the 'h' such as in 'horrific' or 'habitual' the rule falls apart. The only instance I can think of for 'an' to be used is if one is using a cockney accent wherein the 'h' is rarely if ever present in pronunciation. The rule I was taught and have not been corrected otherwise is to use 'an' before whatever word begins with an actual vowel. I can't think of any words beginning with 'y' at the moment where you would use 'an' either, unless the 'y' took on the sound of 'e'.

Answer 4

The general rule is that if a word SOUNDS like it begins with a vowel we usually use the article " an ".
Remember that there are exceptions to every rule! Like University or Yew tree. Need a good book on grammar? Get English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy. It's the best for learning.

Answer 5

I was taught this rule at school as well, but as far as I can remember we were told it applied only to specific cases such as an hotel and an hospital. However, few if any people still use that form...English is an evolving language and that just seems to be one of the things that has been lost in the evolution. And of course any noun starting with a vowel takes "an".

Answer 6

'An' should be placed in front of a word that starts with a vowel sound. If the word started with a silent 'h' then 'an' would be used if the second letter were to be a vowel. For example both 'a hotel' and 'an hotel' are correct - the 'h' may or may not be sounded. 'H' is always sounded in 'house' so you get 'a house'.

Answer 7

I think you're supposed to use "an" when the next word begins with a vowel sound. I don't think it has anything to do with the letter "h".

"an" apple would be correct because apple starts with a vowel sound. (not necessarily a vowel, but the sound a vowel would make, for example, I would say "an" MRI. The acronym starts with an M, which is not a vowel, but if you pronounce the letter it has a vowel sound - "em")

"a" house would be correct.

Answer 8

A noun beginning with a vowel and the letter "h" which is silent should be preceded with "an" rather than "a". e.g."an apple" "an ox" "an hour" But the " h" of house is not silent therefore doesn't use "an" instead use "a".

Answer 9

With a letter like "h", the rules all depend on context. It would take "an hour", one might be "an honest person", or the ceremony might be "an honor". But it's "a house", "a horse", or "a heartstopper".

In the French language, "h" is ALWAYS silent, no matter what, and in Spanish, the "h" sound replaces a "j". With English, it all depends on whether the "h" is silent or not.

Is it not obvious why the English language is one of the hardest for foreigners to learn?

Answer 10

yes i know the answer any word that begins with a vowel has " an " in front of it . like An eagle , An egg , An apple . a consonant is the opposite . A house , A turtle , A report .

Answer 11

An H at the beginning of a word can be pronounced two ways. It can be aspirated, as in "huh," "house," or "horse." Or it can be silent, as in "honor" or "hors d'oeuvres."

Because an aspirated H has a consonant value, a word beginning with one is preceded by "a" rather than "an": e.g., "a horse."

Because a silent H leaves its word with an opening vowel sound, a word beginning with one is preceded by "an" rather than "a": e.g., "an honor."