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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Is it correct to say 'an history' or is it 'a history'

I'm having a debate with a friend, our English teacher said that it was 'an' but apparently a grammar book my friend read said that it was definitely 'a'

oh help me english forums in my hour of need
  

Top answer

A history. I've never heard of "an history" before....

— Ter

  • A history.
  • I've never heard of "an history" before....
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6 Answers
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A history.

I've never heard of "an history" before....
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A long time ago, in the 19th century, some people sometimes used an before some words that began with "h". I don't think such usage is possible in modern English.

CB
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An hour, an honest man etc (when the h sound is silent)
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AnonymousI'm having a debate with a friend, our English teacher said that it was 'an' but apparently a grammar book my friend read said that it was definitely 'a'
oh help me english forums in my hour of need

The first syllable of history is stressed, so a is used. However, some people still cling to an older style in which words
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CalifJimHowever, some people still cling to an older style in which words like historic (first syllable not stressed) take an.
I'm one of those "clingers". (A Klingon?)
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YankeeI'm one of those "clingers".
Sometimes I am too. I vacillate between the two. On any given day I can't even guess whether an or a is going to come out before historical or hysterical. Fortunately, I don't use either one very often.
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