Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,143,370 members, 7,781,033 topics. Date: Friday, 29 March 2024 at 07:48 AM

The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? - Education (4) - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Education / The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? (22672 Views)

I Want To Barb My Hair — Is It Correct? / Is It Correct To Use "Take" In Place Of "Teach" / Law School Approves The Use Of Hijab, Invites Fridaus Amasa For Call To Bar (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (Reply) (Go Down)

Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by encryptjay(m): 10:14am On Jun 13, 2018
aribisala0:

PRECEDE WTF

Keep it simple is alway a good rule to follow.Stick to what you know. That is why Messi is greater than Okocha

Overdribble till you dribble yourself
LoL, it's an error boss, I didn't go through the post after typing.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Nahum777(m): 10:15am On Jun 13, 2018
merrymaker2:
People have made gud pointz. However, Eng Lang operates unchanging rules, it is just dt we have varieties of Eng..in other words, there are Englishes but only one variety is still acceptable, RP. It will shock u dt most of us still speak better English dn some "whites", so, do nt be carried away wt evrytn u listen to on d screen or u read online. Language develops truly bt d rules dnt change. Be friendly wt ur Dictionary, stay with d correct rules and neva stop reading...
It would be better if you typed your words completely without shortening them. Come on, this is an English thread, the least you could do is to write for all to understand.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by encryptjay(m): 10:18am On Jun 13, 2018
eitsei:
especially African Americans, you will hear them saying "you don't know nothing" or "I didn't do no wrong" when it should be "I don't know anything" and " I didn't do any wrong"
Forget those guys, they have their own English.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by encryptjay(m): 10:20am On Jun 13, 2018
Preye21:
U go school jor grin
For wia? grin
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by mulan21(f): 10:22am On Jun 13, 2018
Nothing like that jare!!!! I read English.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by capsogiga(m): 10:26am On Jun 13, 2018
How do I know if H is silent or not in a word
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by kyella(f): 10:31am On Jun 13, 2018
I was taught to use A to start any word Dat begins with a consonant... and AN for any word Dat begins with a vowel... I no kon know again oo
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by lawak: 10:32am On Jun 13, 2018
encryptjay:
If the sound that succeeds it, is consonant, use 'a' but if it's a vowel sound, use 'an'.
In simpler words, if 'h' is silent during pronunciation, use 'an' for example
An honour
An heir
An hour
For non-silent 'h', use 'a'.
A horse
A herd
A hospital.

It's an honour to meet with you.
This is a hospital

I think I've heard, "an husband" before. grin

good job ...but I think it's an hospital
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by encryptjay(m): 10:33am On Jun 13, 2018
capsogiga:
How do I know if H is silent or not in a word
You check the transcription using a dictionary. You can also use dictionary with audios and get actual pronunciations.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by encryptjay(m): 10:42am On Jun 13, 2018
lawak:

good job ...but I think it's an hospital
It's a hospital bro; the h is not silent. Check this forum. https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1135560
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Jesusgirl92(f): 10:48am On Jun 13, 2018
femi4:
Its the combination of the Sounds and vowels . The sound of "H" in Hotel is silent hence it starts with "O". So, its "an Hotel" cos hotel is pronounced as Otel

So, where the H is silent, the article becomes "an" e.g an Hour
And the Oxford dictionary taught u this? undecided
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Jesusgirl92(f): 10:57am On Jun 13, 2018
AkpaMgbor:

Not trying to sound tribal but I've also noticed that they are the one who generally make this error(at least on Nigerian blogs and news media)..I guess it has to do with their accent..
so true.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by HomeOfMe(f): 10:58am On Jun 13, 2018
encryptjay:
If the sound that succeeds it, is consonant, use 'a' but if it's a vowel sound, use 'an'.
In simpler words, if 'h' is silent during pronunciation, use 'an' for example
An honour
An heir
An hour
For non-silent 'h', use 'a'.
A horse
A herd
A hospital.

It's an honour to meet with you.
This is a hospital

I think I've heard, "an husband" before. grin
Correct.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by NathanielJande: 11:00am On Jun 13, 2018
ENCRYPTJAY has answered the question with appropriate examples. When H is silent, it is regarded as a vowel, when it is pronounced, it is taken as a consonant. The problem is, recognizing when it is silent and pronounced. This is why some people pronounce some words horribly. The H in honour and hour are silent, but you hear people want to pronounce it.

1 Like

Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by criuze(m): 11:02am On Jun 13, 2018
English is evolving with craze swiftness, but that reminds of something, just as America and Brazil has their own variant of Second Language, is it not time we develop a very formal Nigerian English
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by eniorisha(m): 11:10am On Jun 13, 2018
femi4:
Its the combination of the Sounds and vowels . The sound of "H" in Hotel is silent hence it starts with "O". So, its "an Hotel" cos hotel is pronounced as Otel

So, where the H is silent, the article becomes "an" e.g an Hour
OGA, 'H' In 'house' or 'hotel' is not silent. Pronouncing any word beginning with 'H', pay attentn to these: 1) if d lips are wide apart, & d tongue seems close to d innermost part of upper roof of d mouth (glotis); it means 'H' is not silent & must be preceeded by 'a' (2) h-word in which u open your mouth a little & tongue doesn't retract, then 'h' is silent & shld be preceeded by 'an'.
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by aribisala0(m): 11:18am On Jun 13, 2018
eniorisha:
OGA, 'H' In 'house' or 'hotel' is not silent. Pronouncing any word beginning with 'H', pay attentn to these: 1) if d lips are wide apart, & d tongue seems close to d innermost part of upper roof of d mouth (glotis); it means 'H' is not silent & must be preceeded by 'a' (2) h-word in which u open your mouth a little & tongue doesn't retract, then 'h' is silent & shld be preceeded by 'an'.
In some legitimate usages H in hotel is VERY "SILENT"


The British parliament did not pass any contrary legislation EVER


Ultimately it is a matter of style.


The correct thing is not that an H spelt "AITCH" is silent " but rather is dropped or ELIDED.

That is a matter of dialect culture and convention which varies across England the home of English

describing it as "silent" is just misleading
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Jishstoned: 11:25am On Jun 13, 2018
okwabayi:
This also reminds me of when an English man used 'have you ate?'. Hear the argument which ensued when I told him it was 'have you eaten?'. He was adamant in telling me it was correct either way, they were both past tense and it doesn't matter sofar the person spoken to understands what was said.

I guess the powers that be [like I mentioned before] have diluted English to make it easy for anyone to pick up.

Well, I think everyone is right..shows we all went to school and we passed our English Language studies. But we should note that we were colonized by the British which means "have you eaten" is damn right. We should also be aware we have at the same time welcomed and accepted the American English and slangs also, which i will say "have you ate" is damn right in it's american form just like when they say "who is you" and the British is "who are you".
however if any of this two language is confusing, no be why we create our own pigin sef which goes like this "who you be" or "you don chop" grin
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by aribisala0(m): 11:26am On Jun 13, 2018
eitsei:
especially African Americans, you will hear them saying "you don't know nothing" or "I didn't do no wrong" when it should be "I don't know anything" and " I didn't do any wrong"

Language must possess a thing called "currency".


Language is the servant of man and not vice versa.

Afrian Americans have a DIALECT ( open a dictionary) which is valid . legitimate and utile.


"You don't know nothing" may grate in your ears but it breaks no rules of grammar.

Go and listen to the people of Liverpool or
Newcastle African Americans are 1000X more intelligible


Fo rme this is the nub:


There are distortions iin the English of European Americans but you seem fine with that. It is those of the African Americans that Irk you. I wonder why.........
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by eniorisha(m): 11:28am On Jun 13, 2018
kyella:
I was taught to use A to start any word Dat begins with a consonant... and AN for any word Dat begins with a vowel... I no kon know again oo
Nah odo dey taught u or u learnt wrongly. What most English non native users don't realise is dt anything dt has to do with phonetics is treated @ d deep level not surface level. That's pronunciation rather than spelling. Your teacher talked about spoken not written or spelling. I guess u will be more confused if u hear or read sth like 'a European country'? At pronounciatn level, 'European' starts with 'j' as d letter is silent
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by eniorisha(m): 11:31am On Jun 13, 2018
lawak:

good job ...but I think it's an hospital
NO sir. It's 'a hospital'
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Chukazu: 11:38am On Jun 13, 2018
merrymaker2:
People have made gud pointz. However, Eng Lang operates unchanging rules, it is just dt we have varieties of Eng..in other words, there are Englishes but only one variety is still acceptable, RP. It will shock u dt most of us still speak better English dn some "whites", so, do nt be carried away wt evrytn u listen to on d screen or u read online. Language develops truly bt d rules dnt change. Be friendly wt ur Dictionary, stay with d correct rules and neva stop reading...

But even dictionaries evolve, so it now depends on the one you are using
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by cokoesang: 11:39am On Jun 13, 2018
encryptjay:
If the sound that succeeds it, is consonant, use 'a' but if it's a vowel sound, use 'an'.
In simpler words, if 'h' is silent during pronunciation, use 'an' for example
An honour
An heir
An hour
For non-silent 'h', use 'a'.
A horse
A herd
A hospital.

It's an honour to meet with you.
This is a hospital

Good explanation, spot on

I think I've heard, "an husband" before. grin
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Slimsly100(f): 11:40am On Jun 13, 2018
An, A, Silent, Loud, worefa!! Na dem sabi nor be my papa language!!! undecided undecided undecided

1 Like

Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by Chukazu: 11:42am On Jun 13, 2018
Jishstoned:


Well, I think everyone is right..shows we all went to school and we passed our English Language studies. But we should note that we were colonized by the British which means "have you eaten" is damn right. We should also be aware we have at the same time welcomed and accepted the American English and slangs also, which i will say "have you ate" is damn right in it's american form just like when they say "who is you" and the British is "who are you".
however if any of this two language is confusing, no be why we create our own pigin sef which goes like this "who you be" or "you don chop" grin

Which means we need a "Nigerian English" too
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by eniorisha(m): 11:45am On Jun 13, 2018
[quote author=aribisala0 post=68439539]
In some legitimate usages H in hotel is VERY "SILENT"


The British parliament did not pass any contrary legislation EVER


Ultimately it is a matter of style.


The correct thing is not that an H spelt "AITCH" is silent " but rather is dropped or ELIDED.

That is a matter of dialect culture and convention which varies across England the home of English

describing it as "silent" is just misleading

Sir, on a lighter note, kindly update yourself. H-silent in hotel is old fashioned English pronunciatn. In Modern Eng, it's not silent @ all
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by aribisala0(m): 11:47am On Jun 13, 2018
Jishstoned:


Well, I think everyone is right..shows we all went to school and we passed our English Language studies. But we should note that we were colonized by the British which means "have you eaten" is damn right. We should also be aware we have at the same time welcomed and accepted the American English and slangs also, which i will say "have you ate" is damn right in it's american form just like when they say "who is you" and the British is "who are you".
however if any of this two language is confusing, no be why we create our own pigin sef which goes like this "who you be" or "you don chop" grin

Have you ate is just undeducated whether in America or Britain

Uneducated usage is not "SLANG"


That is just wrong
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by aribisala0(m): 11:53am On Jun 13, 2018
[quote author=eniorisha post=68440477][/quote]

With respect you are talking nonsense.

There are more than a dozen dialects in the United Kingdom. None of them are ancient so I don't know what you mean by "MODERN".

There are parts of the UK like Newcastle e.g where they rather say AYE than YES . rather say BAIRN than CHILD and so on so when you talk about old fashioned you are way off mark .

That is just like saying Oyo dialect is old fashioned
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by chigo4u: 11:58am On Jun 13, 2018
encryptjay:
If the sound that succeeds it, is consonant, use 'a' but if it's a vowel sound, use 'an'.
In simpler words, if 'h' is silent during pronunciation, use 'an' for example
An honour
An heir
An hour
For non-silent 'h', use 'a'.
A horse
A herd
A hospital.

It's an honour to meet with you.
This is a hospital

I think I've heard, "an husband" before. grin
A heir not an heir tho
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by lowaist101: 12:01pm On Jun 13, 2018
LordsApostle:

Hello my house,
From basic knowledge, we know "an" is used for words beginning with vowel sounds, like
an aeroplane, an ark, an envelope

However, I often hear people use "an" for words starting with "H" , We know H is a consonant ; so please how correct is this?
I always hear people use the "an" for words starting with "H"
an Hotel, an Handbook etc.

That is suppose to be a grammatical blunder if u ask me, from basic knowledge, but what do I know.

I know we have linguistic experts here... Please, I'll need your input and clarifications on this...

Thank you.
pls check the correct pronunciation of those words.
For example, in honour, h is not pronounced. it is 'on' then schwa sound.
Look at university, it is a university because the first letter I'm the
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by lowaist101: 12:04pm On Jun 13, 2018
LordsApostle:

Hello my house,
From basic knowledge, we know "an" is used for words beginning with vowel sounds, like
an aeroplane, an ark, an envelope

However, I often hear people use "an" for words starting with "H" , We know H is a consonant ; so please how correct is this?
I always hear people use the "an" for words starting with "H"
an Hotel, an Handbook etc.

That is suppose to be a grammatical blunder if u ask me, from basic knowledge, but what do I know.

I know we have linguistic experts here... Please, I'll need your input and clarifications on this...

Thank you.
pls check the correct pronunciation of those words.
For example, in honour, h is not pronounced. it is 'on' then schwa sound.
Look at university, it is 'a university' because the first letter in the pronunciation is 'ju:'
Re: The Use Of "An" Before H Sounding Words, Is It Correct? by YvonneAtNL: 12:07pm On Jun 13, 2018
cheesy

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (Reply)

Ipod In Exam Hall: Landmark University Expelled My Friend. What Can He Do? / Where Can One Learn German Language / Aluta Continua And Its History.

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 59
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.