The use of a or an is actually very easy. "An" makes better sound when we meet a vowel sound, not a word that begins with a vowel (u,e,a,o,i). It's like a liaison.
an 'S' /es/ * an 'M' /em/ * an 'L' /el/ * an 'N' /en/ ...
an hour /pronounced like 'our'/
a university /ju:nee 'ver si ti/
a one-time hero (because 'one' begins with 'w' sound - wunt)
For problems with words that begins with 'h', it's like this :
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary says that we can use an before an h- word that begins with an unstressed syllable. Thus, we might say an hisTORical moment, but we would say a HIStory book. Many writers would call that an affectation and prefer that we say a historical, but apparently, this choice is a matter of personal taste.
Last edited by Pirate
on Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:46 am, edited 1 time in total.