Waywardness of The English Grammar  |
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 We were taught to add the word 'an' and NOT the word 'a' before a word that begins with one of the vowels.
When Obama is elected president would we say:
AN HISTORIC DECISION?
or
A HISTORIC DECISION?
Please have in mind that this is merely a hypothetical example and not the wishes of the writer or likely achievement of Obama some time in the near future.
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1.  jerzgirl (2723) | 2 years ago |  For centuries, "an" would have been the proper article to use. If I understand the reasoning correctly, it was because in the British English language, the "H" tended to be silent, thus the word had a vowel sound at the beginning. But, this began to fall out of favor over the past few decades because we don't have many silent "h"es in the US and it was agreed that "a" was more proper for our pronunciations. Some will still use "an", but less and less often. I think it makes sense, myself. On words we still have a silent "h" with, we will still use "an" - like 'hour' or 'honor'.
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| jerzgirl (2723) | 2 years ago | Personally, though, I do hope we get to see A Historic Event with Obama being elected. | |
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 Ruthep (5928) | 2 years ago |  I am really glad you explained that because I didn't understand the question.
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Teach ESL Grammar Active or Certified Teachers Only Earn a ESL Master's Degree Online. www.DominicanU.com | add comment |
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| 2. hersheyskiss (390) | 2 years ago |  Why would you say that we would change the language at all? Is this bash Obama day or what?
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| jerzgirl (2723) | 2 years ago | ???????????????? | |
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| hersheyskiss (390) | 2 years ago | Ok, I guess maybe I misunderstood the question... | |
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Brenda Certner Designs Brenda Certner Designs, Inc. Has specialized in residential and commercial interiors in and around the Washington D. C. area for two decades. www.brendacertnerdesigns.com | add comment |
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3.  whiteheather39 (13306) | 2 years ago |  I was taught that one should use "an" before a vowel and when the "h" is silent therefore as the "H" is not silent I would say A HISTORIC DECISION
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English Grammar Checker Make Grammar & Spelling Mistakes a Thing of the Past. Easy & Effective FixEnglishGrammar.evershops.com | add comment |
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4.  BCMike (3316) | 2 years ago |  I have heard it used both ways in your example.
But English does have lots of contradictions in it. That's why we can confuse foreigners so easily. And we like doing it too.
English is about the easiest language to twist and screw up.
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Organizing for America Barack Obama Needs Your Help to Change Washington. Sign Up Today! www.BarackObama.com | add comment |
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