Does anyone actually use 'an' instead of 'a' in front of words beginning with h?

Question

Such as 'an hotel' instead of 'a hotel'.

We are told that the former is grammatically correct, however, I just think its nonsense, I dont care what the rules of English are, its just nonsense

Answer 1

Grammatically it should be A hotel, not AN hotel.

"A" goes before all words that begin with consonants with one exception: Use an before UNSOUNDED h.

an honorable peace

an honest error

The choice of article is actually based upon the phonetic (sound) quality of the first letter in a word, not on the orthographic (written) representation of the letter. If the first letter makes a vowel-type sound, you use "an"; if the first letter would makes a consonant-type sound, you use "a." So, if you consider the rule from a phonetic perspective, there aren't any exceptions. Since the 'h' hasn't any phonetic representation, no audible sound, in the first exception, the sound that follows the article is a vowel; consequently, 'an' is used. In the second exception, the word-initial 'y' sound (unicorn) is actually a glide [j] phonetically, which has consonantal properties; consequently, it is treated as a consonant, requiring 'a'.

Answer 2

Words beginning with silent "h" or an "h" in which the first syllable is unaccented may take "an" rather than "a."

Answer 3

People don't use grammar these days.  You have to write as you speak and one day it will become the standard language.  If some mistakes are very common then clearly they should be incorporated as alternatives in the language.  COED has many alternatives for American and UK english words and likewise some other alternatives should be allowed.

Answer 4

it depends how you pronounce the word 'hotel' if you pronounce the /h/ then it would not be grammatically correct to use 'an'. 'An' for the most part, only preceeds a vowel sound in word initial position.

Answer 5

Yes, newsreaders on the BBC do.

Answer 6

I use 'an' for h's if i think it sounds better. Like i would say a hotel, but i would say an hour.  

Answer 7

I find it Uncomfortable to Say An Hotel because I pronounce The "H" In Hotel.

Answer 8

Well I do it! It's the correct way...same with herbs....or erbs! It's because they are derived from the French.

Answer 9

The only time I can think of where it sounds normal to use "an" before an "h" that is not silent is in this case:

"An historic occasion."

Answer 10

An hotel but a hose pipe.

An hour but a husband.

No logic, just habit I guess.

Answer 11

There is only one rule:

Use "an" when the 'h' is silent.

examples:

an honorable man

an herb garden

an honest mistake

in an hour

Answer 12

who actually pronounces it herbs? I've never heard anyone pronounce the h.

Answer 13

There are always loopholes to rules. ;) Such as in Spanish. They say that feminine formed words end with "a" and masculine words end with "o". If you use the "la" form of "the", it's feminine and the "el" form is masculine. Except, there is "la mano". It means "the hand". It's feminine and yet, the word ends in "o".

Answer 14

If the 'H' is silent I use 'an', if it isnt I use 'a'.

Answer 15

A 'otel

Answer 16

An is the form of  'a'  that is used before words starting with an initial vowel sound.  (An owl, an opening)  Grammatically, it would be incorrect to use  'an'  before words beginning with a 'H'.  I suppose it depends on how you pronounce those words.  The English language is very dynamic and is changing all the time.  I believe your statement to be incorrect.

Answer 17

Yes I do use 'an' not 'a' in front of hotel, herbs etc.