a hobby vs an hour

[Nicky_K]

Why do we say a hobby and an hour? Both words start with the same letter 'h'. Why do we use different forms of the indefinite article a/an? Is there any rule I'm not familiar with? Thanks

 

[Barb_D]

The a/an difference is based on the way the following word sounds, not how it is spelled. The H is pronounced in hobby, but it's silent in hour. If you go to an online dictionary that has pronunciation, you can hear the two words.

 

[emsr2d2]

Some words starting with "h", when spoken, don't sound the "h" at all. You will probably have to just gradually learn them as you stumble across them. Here are a few examples (BrE):

an hour (pron. "our")
an heir (pron. "air")
an honour (pron. "onner")

No doubt, if this thread continues, the usual argument over the word "hotel" will spring up! ;-)

 

[BobSmith]

[AmE - not a teacher]

I won't mention "hotel", but I've seen debates about "historic" ;-)

And, I've heard "herb" with and without the "H" sound, and off the top of my head, I don't know which is correct!

 

[SoothingDave]

Herb is a person. Herb is a flavoring. The "h" is pronounced only in the former.

 

[Raymott]

Herb is a person. Herb is a flavoring. The "h" is pronounced only in the former.

No, that is AmE. Most of us pronounce the 'h' in herb (I mean in most countries, perhaps not numerically).
I'm pretty sure that most men called Herb are also American.

 

[SoothingDave]

No, that is AmE. Most of us pronounce the 'h' in herb (I mean in most countries, perhaps not numerically).
I'm pretty sure that most men called Herb are also American.

Bob is American according to his profile, so I was answering with that I mind.

 

[shannico]

OUT OF CURIOSITY:

Having learnt English mostly in Ireland, I've always pronounced AITCH with an H at the start as most speakers of Irish English would do that. While working in N.Z. I was pointed out by one fellow-teacher that AITCHES don't take an H in their pronunciation. So I investigated the matter and came across this theory whereby in the south of Ireland (the Republic) people tend to pronounce the H whereas only Catholic speakers would in the North. Only at that stage I remembered reading a short story when I was at school about how Northern Irish children would be able to figure out whether a child would be Protestant or Catholic by saying the alphabet out loud while playing together in the playground.
I just find that amazing and sad at the same time.
Shan

 

[BobSmith]

In my own defense, I do watch a lot of BBC ;-)

 

[SoothingDave]

OUT OF CURIOSITY:

Having learnt English mostly in Ireland, I've always pronounced AITCH with an H at the start as most speakers of Irish English would do that. While working in N.Z. I was pointed out by one fellow-teacher that AITCHES don't take an H in their pronunciation. So I investigated the matter and came across this theory whereby in the south of Ireland (the Republic) people tend to pronounce the H whereas only Catholic speakers would in the North. Only at that stage I remembered reading a short story when I was at school about how Northern Irish children would be able to figure out whether a child would be Protestant or Catholic by saying the alphabet out loud while playing together in the playground.
I just find that amazing and sad at the same time.
Shan

Do you mean people pronounce the letter "H" when reciting the alphabet as "Haitch"?

 

[shannico]

Yes, exactly.

 

[SoothingDave]

That's news to me. I guess it's less weird than calling a "zee" a "zed."

 

[BobSmith]

And strangely, "Zed" is also a male name.

 

[shannico]

Actually, there's been a very interesting UE poll about AITCH or HAITCH Poll: I pronounce the letter 'H'... - Language Polls - UsingEnglish.com and I found this

"there's an old story that when the British army came to Northern Ireland in the 70s, they weren't able to tell the unionists from the nationalists. So when they stopped and searched anyone, they'd get them to recite the alphabet - an 'aitch' meant they were questioning a unionist, a 'haitch' meant they had a nationalist.
Growing up in Ireland, I learned to be very wary of the eighth letter of the alphabet, it can give away a lot of information about you!" (Georgie)

 

[SoothingDave]

Shibboleth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It seems that this is a very old question.

 

[emsr2d2]

The pronunciation of "h" as "haitch" instead of "aitch" is one of those things that really grates on me and I find it very difficult not to correct it when I hear it!

As far as "herb" vs "erb" is concerned, that is definitely a BrE vs AmE difference. The first time I was in a restaurant in America and I was asked if I would some "erb bread" (that's what I heard) with my dinner, I genuinely didn't know what I was being offered. The poor waitress repeated it three times before realisation dawned and I shrieked "Ohhhhhh, HHHHHHerb bread!" Then it was her turn to look confused.

 

[JohnParis]

Oh my - it's 17h26. Happy hour !

 

[Tdol]

No, that is AmE. Most of us pronounce the 'h' in herb (I mean in most countries, perhaps not numerically).
I'm pretty sure that most men called Herb are also American.

Most people pronounce the h in BrE. Here in the Philippines, I have heard it without.

 

[BobSmith]

As far as "herb" vs "erb" is concerned, that is definitely a BrE vs AmE difference. The first time I was in a restaurant in America and I was asked if I would some "erb bread" (that's what I heard) with my dinner, I genuinely didn't know what I was being offered. The poor waitress repeated it three times before realisation dawned and I shrieked "Ohhhhhh, HHHHHHerb bread!" Then it was her turn to look confused.

That's a great story. When I was in London, during breakfast I vaguely remember being quite confused by the waitress's query regarding they type of bread (or toast?) I wanted. IIRC, she asked something like, “do you prefer light or dark?” or perhaps, “do you prefer black or white?” It’s been some years now, and I can’t quite remember what the phrase was. Perhaps someone across the pond is familiar with the phrase she used?

 

[Tdol]

Actually, there's been a very interesting UE poll about AITCH or HAITCH Poll: I pronounce the letter 'H'... - Language Polls - UsingEnglish.com and I found this

"there's an old story that when the British army came to Northern Ireland in the 70s, they weren't able to tell the unionists from the nationalists. So when they stopped and searched anyone, they'd get them to recite the alphabet - an 'aitch' meant they were questioning a unionist, a 'haitch' meant they had a nationalist.
Growing up in Ireland, I learned to be very wary of the eighth letter of the alphabet, it can give away a lot of information about you!" (Georgie)

It's astonishing how strongly people feel about this. It makes If I was/were you look positively tame.