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Subject:RE: a vs an special case From:Mike West <mike -dot- west -at- oz -dot- quest -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 6 Jan 2003 13:15:52 +1100
> What do you use ("a" or "an") when
> the letter "H" itself is pronounced (i.e. H.D., H-Bomb, H.323). I
Assuming you're speaking a standard
American dialect, "Aitch" begins with a
vowel sound, so "an" is the apporopriate
article.
If you're Irish, or have inherited an Irish
pronunciation from somewhere (like some
Australian friends of mine), then you probably
say "haitch" instead of "aitch" -- and if so, you
would say "a haitch" instead of "an haitch"
or "an aitch."
Remember--the rule is based on SOUND.
Vowel sounds get "an", consonant sounds
get "a". Simple, really.
In US English, the "aitch" pronunciation
is considered standard.
--
Mike W
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