A/an before "h"

Question

Well, normally we use "an" if the first letter is a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) and for the rest "a"
an elefant, an evidence, an amazing weather etc.
a phone, a beautiful weather etc.

But with the letter "h" I'm not sure when we use "an" and when "a"
for example:
an hour.
a head (or an head?) -> That's my question

When do we use the indefinite article 'an' in front of a following letter 'h'?

Thank you
LS

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

louiSTnormally we use "an" if the first letter is a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) and for the rest "a"

Not exactly. We use "an" if the first SOUND in the next word is a vowel sound; otherwise we use "a". You cannot know whether to use "an" or "a" without pronouncing the word. Just looking at the letters won't help.

Silent letters are not pronounced at all.

"hour" is pronounced as if "our", because the "h" is silent, so it begins with a vowel SOUND. So it's an hour.
And the "h" in "head" is pronounced. It is not silent. So it's a head.
_______

The sounds "y" and "w" are not considered vowel sounds.

"unit" is pronounced "yunit", so it does not begin with a vowel sound. So it's a unit.
"one" is pronounced "wun", so it does not begin with a vowel sound. So it's a one.

Be careful. It's the sound, not the letters, that you have to notice.

Check a dictionary if you are in doubt about how to pronounce a word.

CJ

A/an before "h"

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