Why do we say an hour when H is not a vowel?

An hour is correct because the “h” at the beginning is silent so hour is pronounced with a vowel sound. Vowel sounds use the “an”.

Why is there an before hour?

So to answer Matt’s question, “an hour” is correct, because “hour” starts with a vowel sound. Use “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. Other letters can also be pronounced either way.

Why do we use a before a vowel?

Use “an” before a slient or unsounded “h.” Because the “h” does not have any phonetic representation or audible sound, the sound that follows the article is a vowel; consequently, “an” is used. When “u” makes the same sound as the “y” in “you,” or “o” makes the same sound as “w” in “won,” then a is used.

Why do we use an for non vowels?

When there is a vowel sound (regardless of the actual letter) it’s “an.” When there is a consonant sound (regardless of the actual letter) it’s “a.” The speaker had a unique accent. After an hour I got used to it. Even though “unique” starts with a vowel it demands “a” because of the “y” sound.

Which vowel is used before hour?

You use ‘an’ before words that begin with the five vowels – a, e, i, o, u. However, the way you pronounce it and not the spelling, shows you which one you must use. Examples: You should say, ‘an hour’ (because hour begins with a vowel sound) and ‘a history’ (because history begins with a consonant sound).

Why is an hour a vowel?

An hour is the correct one. It is because in the word hour the letter h is not pronounced, therefore when hour is pronounced the first letter sounds like a vowel sound. The general rule is: a) when the first letter of a word is a consonant or sounds like consonant the indefinite article a lies in front of the word.

Do you always use an before a vowel?

The rule is: Use an before a word beginning with a vowel sound (not letter). It doesn’t matter how the word is spelled. Use a before a word with a consonant sound as well as y and w sounds. Which means it is not unusual to find a before a word starting with a vowel or an before a word starting with a consonant.

What word starts with a vowel but doesn’t use an?

Words beginning with a vowel but don’t use the “an” article (145)

Word	Pronunciation (IPA)
unicorn	/ˈjuːnɪkɔːn/
urea	/jʊˈɹiːə/ /ˈjʊəɹɪə/
urethra	/jʊˈɹiːθɹə/
euphemism	/ˈjuː.fəˌmɪ.z(ə)m/

Why do we say an ice cream?

“An ice cream” since the word “ice cream” starts with a vowel sound. An comes before the words which start with vowel sounds. Though ‘I’ in ice cream sounds with an vowel sound aa. An ice cream is correct.

When to use ‘an’ and ‘a’ before a vowel sound?

The rule actually is that you use ‘an’ before a vowel sound, not just the vowel (which is why there are exceptions like the word ‘honest’) and ‘a’ before words starting with a consonant sound. The reason for doing this, as far as I can tell, is because if you do the opposite you need to pause between the words.

When to use ‘a’ and ‘an’ before words?

The real rule is this: You use the article “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. For example, He has a unique point of view on the subject and talked about it for an hour.

What goes before words that begin with a consonant?

Of course, “a” goes before words that begin with a consonant if they have that consonant sound, just as “an” goes before words that begin with a vowel if they have that vowel sound. In a way, this is a poetic rule, because it’s all about sound.

Why does ‘a’ go before ‘an’ in poetry?

Incorrect: This is an universal technique. Of course, “a” goes before words that begin with a consonant if they have that consonant sound, just as “an” goes before words that begin with a vowel if they have that vowel sound. In a way, this is a poetic rule, because it’s all about sound.