When to use the instead of a or an?

Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound.

Do we say an hero or a hero?

We don’t say “an hero”. The word “an” can traditionally only be used in front of a pronounced if the first syllable of the word is not stressed. (an historical account, an hotel). The first syllable of the word “hero” is stressed, so you would say “a hero”.

Is it a or an H?

For the letter “H”, the pronunciation dictates the indefinite article: Use “a” before words where you pronounce the letter “H” such as “a hat,” “a house” or “a happy cat.” Use “an” before words where you don’t pronounce the letter “H” such as “an herb,” “an hour,” or “an honorable man.”

Do you put an before F?

Use AN before words such as “hour” which sound like they start with a vowel even if the first letter is a consonant. Also use AN before letters and numbers which sound like they begin with a vowel, such as “F” or “8”. Remember, it is the sound not the spelling which is important.

Is it a or an eucalyptus?

A eucalyptus is an evergreen tree, originally from Australia, that is grown to provide wood, gum, and an oil that is used in medicines.

Why do we say an instead of a?

There are two versions of the indefinite article in English because it is easier to pronounce “an” than “a” when it comes before a word beginning with a vowel. Using “an” separates the article from the following noun, so “an office” is correct but “a office” would sound wrong to most people.

Is it a or an before heroic?

But fogies with a fondness for an can at least still count on The Times style guide (‘prefer an hotel to a hotel, an historic to a historic, an heroic rather than a heroic’). And Fowler’s Modern English Usage kindly acknowledges that ‘the choice of form remains open’.

Is it right to say an hero?

The basic rule is that it should be easy to say. The “n” Is used to separate the two vowel sounds when speaking. So speak your phrase, is it easier to say “a heroic” or “an heroic”. Personally I think it’s the former, so I would not use “an”.

Is it an historian or a historian?

In the 18th and 19th century, the standard rule was to say ‘an historian’, but over the course of the 20th century, American English has tended to shift away from that and say ‘a historian’. But British English still tends to say ‘an historian’.

Is it a herb or an herb?

In American English, the “h” in “herb” is not sounded; it is silent, so it’s preceded by “an.” In British English, the “h” in “herb” is sounded, so it’s preceded by “a.” You say, “No other words with silent letters get singled out with such nonsense.” Of course they do!

Which is grammatically correct an historic or a historic?

Although there are regional variations, the standard American pronunciation of historic starts with a consonant sound (just like the words hit and hipster), so the correct choice is a historic. There’s nothing special about historic that exempts it from the standard rule. (Read the whole article.)

Why do we say a unicorn and not an unicorn?

Unicorn doesn’t follow the pattern because, when you say it, it doesn’t start with a vowel. It starts with a consonant. The sound “yu” is a consonant, so we say, “a unicorn.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8qlmA4Q_k4