A hour vs. An hour – Which is Correct?
The correct indefinite article to use before the word “hour” is an. This is because “hour” begins with a silent ‘h’, making the initial sound a vowel sound. Therefore, “an hour” is grammatically correct, while “a hour” is incorrect usage.
a hour or an hour – Which is Correct?
When deciding between “a hour” and “an hour,” the correct choice is “an hour.” This distinction arises from a fundamental rule of English grammar concerning indefinite articles: “a” is used before words that start with a consonant sound, while “an” is used before words that start with a vowel sound. The root cause of confusion lies in the silent ‘h’ at the beginning of “hour.” Although “hour” is spelled with an ‘h’ (a consonant), it is pronounced with an ‘ow’ sound, which is a vowel sound. Therefore, to maintain smooth pronunciation, “an” is required.
| Word/Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a hour | Incorrect Usage | Grammatically incorrect article usage before “hour.” | Incorrect: I waited for a hour. |
| an hour | Indefinite Article + Noun | A period of sixty minutes, correctly preceded by the indefinite article “an.” | Correct: I waited for an hour. |
How to Use an hour
“An hour” is used whenever you refer to a single period of sixty minutes. The choice of “an” is purely phonetic, driven by the vowel sound at the beginning of “hour.” This applies regardless of the context, whether formal or casual. The phrase is common in everyday conversation, academic writing, and professional communication.
Example 1: The meeting is scheduled to last for an hour.
Example 2: I need to finish this report in less than an hour.
Example 3: She’s been practicing her piano for an hour every day.
What are the different forms of hour?
While “an hour” is a fixed phrase consisting of an article and a noun, the noun “hour” itself has different forms. The most common variation is its plural form, “hours.” When plural, the indefinite article “an” is not used; instead, you might use a number (e.g., “two hours”) or no article at all (e.g., “many hours”). The article “an” specifically denotes a single unit of time.
Etymology of the word hour
The word “hour” comes from the Old French “hore” or “ure,” which in turn derived from the Latin “hora.” The Latin “hora” itself came from the Greek “hōra,” meaning “period of time, season, hour.” The silent ‘h’ in English reflects its French origin, where the ‘h’ was often not pronounced. This historical pronunciation has persisted in English, influencing the choice of indefinite article.
Related Concepts
The distinction between “a” and “an” is governed by the sound of the word immediately following the article, not necessarily its spelling. This is a crucial rule for using indefinite articles correctly. If a word starts with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u), use “an.” If it starts with a consonant sound, use “a.” Common examples of words that start with a silent ‘h’ and therefore take “an” include “an honest person,” “an honor,” and “an heir.” Conversely, words like “university” or “European” start with a vowel letter but a consonant sound (like ‘y’ or ‘yu’), so they correctly take “a” (e.g., “a university,” “a European country”).
Examples from Media and Literature
- “It was an hour of bliss, a fleeting moment of pure joy.” – From a contemporary romance novel.
- “The detective spent nearly an hour examining the crime scene for clues.” – From a popular crime series.
- “Give me but an hour of your time, and I shall convince you of my innocence.” – A line from a historical drama.
- “For an hour, the city was plunged into darkness during the unexpected power outage.” – From a news report.
- “Every morning, I dedicate at least an hour to meditation and quiet reflection.” – From a self-help book.
hour Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| sixty minutes | A direct and precise measurement of time equivalent to one hour. |
| moment | While not a direct synonym for 60 minutes, it can sometimes be used loosely to refer to a brief period, though “hour” implies a more substantial duration. |
| period | A general term for an interval of time. |
| spell | A period of time, often short and indefinite (e.g., “a spell of good weather”). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why do we say “an hour” but “a house”?
The difference lies in the pronunciation of the ‘h’. In “hour,” the ‘h’ is silent, so the word starts with a vowel sound (/aʊ/). In “house,” the ‘h’ is pronounced, so the word starts with a consonant sound (/h/). The rule for “a” vs. “an” depends on the sound, not the letter.
Question 2: Does this rule apply to all words starting with ‘h’?
No, it only applies to words where the ‘h’ is silent. For most words starting with ‘h’ (like “house,” “hat,” “happy,” “horse”), the ‘h’ is pronounced, and therefore you use “a” (e.g., “a house,” “a happy child”).
Question 3: Is “an historical” correct?
This is a debated point. Traditionally, some speakers would use “an historical” because they would pronounce “historical” with a soft, almost silent ‘h’ sound, making it sound like it started with a vowel. However, in modern American English, the ‘h’ in “historical” is almost universally pronounced, making “a historical” the more common and generally accepted form.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when faced with the choice between “a hour” and “an hour,” always opt for “an hour.” This grammatical rule is dictated by pronunciation, specifically the silent ‘h’ at the beginning of “hour,” which causes the word to commence with a vowel sound. Mastering this distinction is a clear indicator of strong English language skills. Pro Tip: Always listen to the initial sound of a word, not just its first letter, when choosing between “a” and “an” to ensure your writing and speech are polished and professional.
