Home/Common Mistakes/Grammar/Articles/Using a or an before a silent h
Home/Common Mistakes/Grammar/Articles/Using a or an before a silent h

Using a or an before a silent h

Use a when the h is pronounced as a hotel (ho-tel).

  • I stayed in a hotel for three nights.

Use an when the h is silent as in an hour (our).

  • He missed his train and was an hour late.

The rule for using either a or an before adjectives + nouns is the same.

Use a when the h is pronounced as in healthy (hel-thee).

  • I am glad to hear that she is a healthy baby.

Use an when the h is silent as in honourable (on-er-rable).

  • He is an honourable gentleman.