Re: Question for the All Knowing

[Stephen Victor <svictor -at- HOUSTON -dot- GEOQUEST -dot- SLB -dot- COM>]

In response to the "a history or an history" question, two list members
wrote:

> Depends. Was that large thing that just drove by the window a truck or a
> lorry? ;{>}

and...

> The determination is from the sound of the first letter, not whether it
> is a vowel.
>
> In Liverpool it might be 'istory, but in the U.S. it's History and
> clearly not a vowel sound.

I'm sure the British members of the list must be cringing about now. If
there's any place in the world where people (at least educated
professionals) don't say "'istory" it's England.

The rule is simple: Nouns beginning with a vowel use "an"; nouns
beginning with a consonant use "a." Because "h" can be either aspirated
or silent, it's tricky, but see Fowler, who contrasts the aspirated h
with the silent one (a history, an hour).

Regards,
Steve
--
Stephen P. Victor                               Phone: (713) 513-2552
Technical Writer, Software Training             Fax:   (713) 513-2019
Schlumberger GeoQuest                svictor -at- houston -dot- geoquest -dot- slb -dot- com
5599 San Felipe, Suite 1700
Houston, Texas 77056 USA

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