Any English/Writing experts? A question ....

[pw2pp]

When using "historical event" in a sentence, do you write......

"a historical event"

or

"an historical event"

 

[mantysk8coach]

I think "an". I have no idea why, because "an" is only supposed to be used before words that start with vowels. "A historical" doesn't sound right though.

I was a communication major in college, and work in Public Relations, doing copy writing if that helps you decide whether to take my word for it or not! I really have no idea why it is that way though.

Hope that helps somewhat!

 

[wvjules]

I write "an" historical event, but say "a" historical event.

 

[HeatherH]

It's "an historical event".

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

It's "an historical event," but it's commonly misspelled and misprounounced.

 

[jonestavern]

It's "an historical event," but it's commonly misspelled and misprounounced.

Right. I have occassion to write press releases for a national historic site.


Jean

 

[graygables]

Yes, it's "an". It 'istorically goes back to the British 'abit of dropping the initial "h" sound from certain words. Think also of words like "herb" and "hour". Pesky little rule, but as an History and English major, it's an annoyance!

 

[pw2pp]

Well, we DO have quite a few experts here don't we?

I knew it was "an", but my daughter (who is in AP English ), my sister, and my niece all disagreed with me tonight.
I will have to show them this thread tomorrow.

 

[aunt2brant]

Yes, it's "an". It 'istorically goes back to the British 'abit of dropping the initial "h" sound from certain words. Think also of words like "herb" and "hour". Pesky little rule, but as an History and English major, it's an annoyance!

I hold a degree in both History and English and things like this brive me crazy. Personally, I look at rewording the sentence in order to avoid it. I do agree with everyone else, though.

 

[Kermit]

I think there are a few style guides that do use "a" now, but it's none of the common ones that people reference. It's only internal style guides for publications with little circulation. I think the rule is kind of silly, but it still applies.