Why does the word "historical" preceded by a particle use "an" rather than "a"? It makes no sense to me!

Answer 1

Some people drop their "aitches." If that leaves a vowel sound at the beginning of a noun, then it's more natural to say "an" than "a." (Those answerers who say that "H" can be a vowel need to go back to first grade!)

The word "historical" is something of a special case, since "a historical" can be confused with the word "ahistorical." (Some people dispute the legitimacy of this word, but they are fighting the forces of history.)

So in writing, I'd use "a historical," but when speaking I'd say "an historical," even though I pronounce the "H."

Ain't English a pip?

Answer 2

One tricky case comes up from time to time: is it "a historic occasion" or "an historic occasion"? Some speakers favor the latter — more British than American speakers, but you'll find them in both places — using an on longish words (three or more syllables) beginning with h, where the first syllable isn't accented. They'd say, for instance, "a hístory textbook" (accent on the first syllable) but "an históric event." (Likewise "a hábit" but "an habítual offender," "a hýpothetical question" but "an hypóthesis.") Still, most guides prefer a before any h that's sounded: "a historic occasion," "a hysterical joke," "a habitual offender" — but "an honor" and "an hour" because those h's aren't sounded. [Entry revised 21 April 2006; revised again 10 December 2006.]

Answer 3

Actually it is all personal preference. Some people say an historical, and some people say a historical. I am in the latter group. I just cannot force myself to use the presumptuous an istorical. An h is a consonant because it is aspirated, so I think it should be a historical. In a word where the h is silent such as honor, you would of course say an honor not a honor.

Refer to the following site:
www.bartleby.com/61/2/A0000200.html

Answer 4

Traditionally in English (but the usage is becoming obsolete) an "h" introducing an unaccented syllable is silent.

The spoken "h" was dropped, therefore, in words like hotel historic, historian and hamfisted (all with the stress on the second syllable) but not in history, hoover or hammer which are stressed on the first syllable.

I myself (born 1942) find the modern pronunciation of hotel - Hoe-tell - awkward; left to myself I say oh-tell; but I am aware that the trend is against this. I think the reason is probably that people were so afraid of dropping an "h" (sounds lower-class!) that they stuck one in where one was written, just in case. Snobbery of this sort is responsible for a lot.

Other languages with the words hotel, historic etc. (French, Spanish, Italian) do not have a sounded "h" and this is probably why it was not originally sounded in English.

Answer 5

I think that Michael B has got his aspirates in a twist. When the letter H requires one to breathe out as the word is said (ie to aspirate) as in hotel, then an is used. When little breath is needed to say the word, then a is used, as in a hare and a holiday.
It would be an historical event or a hysterical event. Listen to how you speak. If it sounds awkward or wrong it probably is.
Clear now. I hope so.
Dropping ones aitches (H) is a middle class affection from the first part of the 20C which all good speakers of English deplore.

Answer 6

an is used before words starting with a vowel such as an animal, or an ant , or an envelope, or an umbrella, in the case of an historical, the "h" is silent, and you should pronounce the word as though it began with "i" not "h"

Answer 7

I think it's because the 'h' is meant to be silent, and two distinct vowels up against each other don't quite sound right ('a istorical fact' is clunky, while 'an istorical fact' is easier on the ear).

Answer 8

I don't like it either, but the modern trend seems to drop the aspirate H and say an istorical or an otel. I personally am not giving up my aspirates to anyone!

Answer 9

Because it sounds better!

English, like all languages, has exceptions to the rules...and historical is one of them!

You just have to live with it! (or invent your own version of English)

Answer 10

it sounds more natural
if you asked for A hammer on a building site i think you probably get a slap