Would this have been an historic event?

[bob jenkins]

"AN historic event" v. "A historic event."

Discuss.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

"AN historic event" v. "A historic event."

Discuss.

We need mbyron for this one.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

We need mbyron for this one.

Late to the party. American English generally uses 'a' before the weak aitch.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

"AN historic event" v. "A historic event."

Discuss.

I was taught that you use the word "an" when the first syllable of the following word begins with a vowel sound (and I am one of those people who drop the "h" in this case - say it out loud quickly). Since I write in a narrative style (and this is a "discussion" board), this is a proper usage.

[Indianaref]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

"AN historic event" v. "A historic event."

Discuss.

Actually, according to the dictionary, you can use "an" preceding a weakly pronounced h

"the form of a before an initial vowel sound ( an arch; an honor ) and sometimes, esp. in British English, before an initial unstressed syllable beginning with a silent or weakly pronounced h : an historian."

Where's MBryon?

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

Actually, according to the dictionary, you can use "an" preceding a weakly pronounced h

"the form of a before an initial vowel sound ( an arch; an honor ) and sometimes, esp. in British English, before an initial unstressed syllable beginning with a silent or weakly pronounced h : an historian."

Where's MBryon?

I think this only works if you say it with a really snooty David Niven-style British accent.

[Jurassic Referee]

According to Wikipedia, it has already occurred in a competitive kindergarten game in Baden Baden, Germany before a crowd of 11, 203 on Dec. 14, 2006. The final score was 67-0 for the Baden Baden Bullies-Bullies.

Also according to Wikipedia, it has happened twice in a non-competitive second-grade game and once in a non-competitive third-grade game.

It's true, it's true.....

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

"AN historic event" v. "A historic event."

Discuss.

No.