An hypothesis vs. A hypothesis – Which is Correct?
The correct modern English phrase is “a hypothesis,” not “an hypothesis.” Use “a” because hypothesis begins with a pronounced /h/ sound, like history and hotel. “An hypothesis” is obsolete or dialectal in some varieties where the initial h was silent, but it is not standard American usage in contemporary writing.
an hypothesis or a hypothesis – Which is Correct?
A hypothesis is the correct phrase in contemporary standard English. The indefinite article depends on the sound that follows it, not simply on the first letter. Because the h in hypothesis is pronounced, the phrase takes a: a hypothesis.
An hypothesis is generally considered incorrect in modern American English. It may appear in older books, historical writing, or varieties of English in which the initial h was traditionally silent. However, it should normally be avoided in current formal, academic, business, and everyday writing.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the sound test: say the word aloud and listen for the first sound. If the word begins with a consonant sound, use a; if it begins with a vowel sound, use an. Since hypothesis starts with the pronounced consonant sound /h/, say a hypothesis.
A useful comparison is a history, not an history, and a hotel, not an hotel. The same rule applies to hypothesis.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| a hypothesis | Indefinite article + noun | A proposed explanation or testable idea | The researchers developed a hypothesis about the treatment. |
| an hypothesis | Nonstandard modern construction | An archaic or dialectal alternative to “a hypothesis” | Use “a hypothesis” in contemporary standard writing. |
How to Use a Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a countable noun meaning a proposed explanation, prediction, or idea that can be examined through evidence or testing. It is especially common in scientific, academic, medical, legal, and analytical contexts, although it can also be used in everyday discussions.
The noun normally appears with an article or another determiner. Use a hypothesis when referring to one unspecified idea, the hypothesis when referring to a specific idea already mentioned, and several hypotheses when referring to more than one.
Example 1: The experiment was designed to test a hypothesis about plant growth.
Example 2: Her hypothesis is that regular exercise improves concentration.
Example 3: The evidence supports the hypothesis but does not prove it conclusively.
What are the different forms of hypothesis?
The singular form is hypothesis. Its standard plural is hypotheses, pronounced approximately “hy-poth-uh-seez,” not “hypothesis-es.” The article changes according to the noun’s number and context: a hypothesis refers to one idea, while the hypotheses refers to multiple specific ideas.
Examples include: The scientist proposed a hypothesis. and The scientists compared several hypotheses.
Etymology of the word hypothesis
Hypothesis comes from the Greek word hypothesis, meaning “foundation,” “supposition,” or “that which is placed beneath.” It entered English through Latin and French and originally referred to an assumption used as the basis for reasoning. Its modern scientific meaning developed from this broader sense of a proposed explanation.
Related Concepts
Understanding indefinite articles and pronunciation makes it easier to choose correctly between a hypothesis and an hypothesis.
- Indefinite articles: A and an introduce a singular, countable noun that is not yet identified. Use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound.
- Pronunciation-based grammar: Article choice depends on how a word sounds when spoken. For example, use a university because university begins with a /y/ sound, but use an hour because the h is silent.
- Countable nouns: Because hypothesis is countable, its singular form generally needs a determiner, such as a, the, this, or one.
- Irregular plurals: The plural of hypothesis is hypotheses, following a Greek-derived spelling pattern shared by words such as analysis and diagnosis.
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct phrase a hypothesis appears naturally in scientific reporting, educational media, documentaries, and analytical writing.
- In a science news article, a researcher might propose a hypothesis about why a species is adapting to a changing climate.
- In a classroom documentary about astronomy, a presenter might explain how a hypothesis can be tested through observation and repeated measurement.
- In a medical feature, journalists may describe a hypothesis linking a certain lifestyle factor to improved health outcomes.
- In a detective novel, an investigator may form a hypothesis about the identity or motive of a suspect.
- In historical analysis, an author may introduce a hypothesis about the cause of a political or cultural change.
a Hypothesis Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Theory | A systematic explanation supported by evidence, often broader and more developed than a hypothesis. |
| Proposition | An idea or statement offered for consideration or examination. |
| Supposition | An assumption or belief accepted temporarily without complete proof. |
| Conjecture | An idea or conclusion based on incomplete evidence. |
| Premise | A statement or assumption used as the foundation for an argument. |
| Prediction | A statement about what is expected to happen, often derived from a hypothesis. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “an hypothesis” grammatically correct?
In contemporary standard American English, an hypothesis is not the usual or recommended form. Write a hypothesis because the initial h is pronounced.
Question 2: Why do some books use “an hypothesis”?
Older English sometimes treated the initial h in certain words as silent, especially in formal or scholarly language. Historical texts may therefore contain an hypothesis, but this does not make it the preferred form today.
Question 3: What is the plural of “hypothesis”?
The plural is hypotheses. For example: The researchers considered three competing hypotheses.
Conclusion
Use a hypothesis, not an hypothesis, in modern standard English. The choice is based on pronunciation: hypothesis begins with a pronounced /h/ consonant sound. Although an hypothesis may appear in older or dialectal sources, avoiding it in professional writing demonstrates grammatical accuracy and protects your credibility.
