A Hourly vs. An Hourly – Which is Correct?
The correct indefinite article to use before the word “hourly” is “an.” This is because while “hourly” begins with the consonant ‘h,’ the ‘h’ is silent, causing the word to start with a vowel sound, specifically the ‘ow’ sound as in “hour.” Therefore, “an hourly” is grammatically correct.
A Hourly or An Hourly – Which is Correct?
The choice between “a” and “an” before a word like “hourly” hinges entirely on the sound of the first letter, not simply whether it’s a vowel or a consonant. For “hourly,” the initial ‘h’ is silent, making the word begin with a vowel sound (like “our”). Consequently, the indefinite article “an” is required to maintain a smooth flow of pronunciation. Using “a hourly” creates a phonetic clash and is grammatically incorrect.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a hourly | Incorrect Usage | Grammatically incorrect; violates the rule of using ‘an’ before a word starting with a vowel sound. | Incorrect: She earns a hourly wage. |
| an hourly | Adjective / Adverbial Phrase | Occurring every hour; calculated by the hour. | Correct: She earns an hourly wage. |
How to Use An Hourly
“An hourly” is used to describe something that happens every hour or is measured by the hour. It most commonly precedes a noun, acting as an adjective. This usage is standard in both formal and casual contexts, particularly in discussions about work, schedules, or rates.
Example 1: The company offers an hourly rate for its part-time employees.
Example 2: We receive an hourly update on the project’s progress.
Example 3: The bus runs on an hourly schedule, departing at the top of each hour.
What are the different forms of An Hourly?
The phrase “an hourly” itself does not change forms in terms of tense or pluralization, as “an” is an article and “hourly” is an adjective or adverb. However, “hourly” can stand alone as an adjective (e.g., “hourly reports”) or an adverb (e.g., “The alarm sounds hourly”). The article “an” is specifically paired with “hourly” when “hourly” modifies a singular noun that implies a unit or instance, such as “an hourly wage,” “an hourly check,” or “an hourly basis.”
Etymology of the word An Hourly
The word “hourly” derives from “hour” and the suffix “-ly.” “Hour” comes from the Old French “hore,” which in turn originated from the Latin “hora,” meaning “hour, time, season.” The Latin word itself traces back to the Greek “hōra,” meaning “period of time, season.” The addition of “-ly” transforms “hour” into an adjective or adverb indicating frequency or measurement by the hour. The use of “an” before words with a silent ‘h’ (like “hour,” “honest,” “honor”) dates back to a time when such words were pronounced with a distinct vowel sound at the beginning.
Related Concepts
The distinction between “a” and “an” is a fundamental rule in English grammar concerning indefinite articles. The core principle is that “a” precedes words that begin with a consonant sound, while “an” precedes words that begin with a vowel sound. It is crucial to remember that this rule is based on sound, not spelling. For instance, “a university” is correct because “university” starts with a ‘yoo’ sound (a consonant sound), even though ‘u’ is a vowel. Conversely, “an honor” is correct because “honor” starts with an ‘o’ sound (a vowel sound), even though ‘h’ is a consonant. This phonetic rule ensures smoother pronunciation in spoken English.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “Employees are paid an hourly wage, which varies based on experience.” (Business news report)
- “The observatory provides an hourly update on solar activity.” (Science magazine article)
- “She spent an hourly interval checking her phone, hoping for a message.” (Fictional novel)
- “For visitors, there’s an hourly shuttle service to the city center.” (Travel guide)
- “The project manager demanded an hourly report on the team’s progress.” (Corporate memo)
An Hourly Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Per-hour | For each hour; by the hour. |
| Hourly (as an adverb) | Happening every hour. |
| Sessional | Relating to a session or period of time (less precise than hourly). |
| Time-based | Determined or regulated by time (broader than hourly). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is it “an hourly” and not “a hourly”?
The rule for using “a” or “an” depends on the sound of the word that follows, not just the letter. Since the ‘h’ in “hourly” is silent, the word begins with a vowel sound (like “our”), requiring “an” for proper pronunciation.
Question 2: Does this rule apply to all words starting with ‘h’?
No, this rule applies only to words where the initial ‘h’ is silent. For example, it’s “a house” (because ‘h’ is pronounced) but “an hour” (because ‘h’ is silent).
Question 3: Can “hourly” be used as an adverb without “an”?
Yes, “hourly” can be used as an adverb to mean “every hour” or “once an hour.” For example, “The clock chimes hourly.” In this case, it modifies the verb “chimes” and doesn’t require an article.
Conclusion
The correct indefinite article to pair with “hourly” is “an,” making “an hourly” the grammatically correct phrase. This choice is dictated by the phonetic rule that “an” precedes words beginning with a vowel sound, and the silent ‘h’ in “hourly” creates such a sound. Understanding this subtle but important distinction not only improves your grammatical accuracy but also enhances the flow of your spoken and written communication. Pro Tip: Always listen for the initial sound, not just the letter, when deciding between “a” and “an” to maintain a polished and professional reputation.
