No mystery — it’s a history

May 14th, 2008 at 07:00am Barry Wood

Most people understand that the choice of an indefinite article is dictated by the initial sound of the word that follows. A vowel sound calls for “an”; a consonant sound calls for “a.”

You can’t always judge by the letter, because a vowel doesn’t always make a vowel sound and a consonant doesn’t always make a consonant sound. For example, it’s “an” old joke but “a” one-liner; “an” unusual story but “a” universal truth; “an” honorable man but “a” horrible leader.

The one that stirs up the most trouble is the “history” group. In American English, the “h” is not silent, so it’s “a” history book, “a” historic occasion, “a” historical treasure, not “an.”

They may seem more difficult to say, but try to make the effort. It’s your patriotic duty: Remember those brave colonists who rebelled back in the 1770s to break free from the king’s English.

OK, that may be a historical inaccuracy.

Entry Filed under: "a" or "an"