Why do we use the word "an" before the word historic?  We don't say have "an" happy holiday.  Have an happy birthday.  I refuse to use the word an before the word historic.  It makes no sense.  Anyone know why we do this?
199945
BASIC explanation why "an" may appear before a word beginning with /h/:\n\n1) the initial /h/ IS not pronounced\n*generally in "hours" hono(u)r"\n*American English - "herb"\n*some dialects  "humble",  "hotel"\n\n2) history - that is, the /h/ USED to be silent:\nthere are a number of words whose initial /h/ was originally not pronounced,esp. those derived from (Old) French, which did not pronounce it (sometimes did not even spell it)\nSome of these (examples listed in #1) STILL do not pronounce the /h/ in many or all English dialects.   Others that have added a pronounced /h/ may still be treated as if they did not have it  -- 'historic(al)' is perhaps the best example of this\n\nBUT this is not enough -- those who say "an historic(al) event" (pronouncing the /h/) ALSO usually say "a history"!\nSo, there's one other very important factor, which is:\n\n3) The syllable starting with /h/ LACKS an ACCENT\n --Specifically, if the SECOND syllable is accented, the initial /h/ is WEAKER, perhaps only very slightly pronounced  (It seems especially weak if the following vowel is formed in the front of the mouth -- a, i, e  (vs. vowels made further back  -- o,  u)\n\nSo, if the first syllable HAS an accent (especially the MAIN accent) it is preceded by "a"   --thus we say "A HISTORY" (unless, of course, you're Cockney)\n\nTo get the sense of how this works, just try saying the word "historic" all be itself.  You may notice that you scarcely pronounce the /h/.  Even if you do, it may feel like it takes extra energy do so  (whereas when you say "history" the 'energy' is already supplied by accenting the syllable)\n\n[Some have said 'accented' or 'unaccented', but this is not quite correct.  When the SECOND syllable is accented, the first syllable has the LEAST accent; if a LATER syllable has the primary accent the first syllable may still have a SECONDARY accent, and the 'fule' just described does not apply.  Examples: 'hospitality' 'hippopotamus'] \n\nIn fact, in expressions like "an historic..." many find that the inclusion of the /n/ can actually make the words easier to pronounce (though in that case the /h/ is usually only VERY slightly pronounced). \n\nOther examples where "an" may be found (all of which have an accent on the second syllable): "an hereditary title" [vs. "a HERitage],  "an habitual liar" [vs. "a HA-bit"], cf. "an hysterical child"  \n\nNow if you were to try some of these expressions in a search engine you would likely find that "an historic" and "an historical" are much more commong (in proportion to "a historic" "a historical") than these other examples.  That leads to the FINAL(?) factor that affects pronunciation.\n\n4) HABIT! That is, we're USED to hearing it that way, and so it just seems right, even if it does not follow the "rules" we may generally us for such cases.\n\nThus, the reason 'historic' and 'historical' are far more likely to be preceded by "an" than other words that might "qualify" is that they are more COMMON words or expressions.  People are used to hearing them this way.    This is hardly unusual.  In any language the LESS common a word is in everyday speech the MORE likely it is speakers apply the "general rules" to that word.   Thus, irregular verbs in a language [forms of to be, come, hit, ] are COMMON words.
19143
Your health?\n\n(And it's "you're a smoker", using the contraction for "you are" -  not "your a smoker", using the possessive form of "you")
341201
Yep. It's one of the "political cemeteries" in the region, known for having recognizable political figures interred there.\n\nAnd yes, the correct spelling has no "a" in it.
179293
Here are the errors:\n\nNeither refers to two things: neither "x" nor "y", you have used it for three.\n\n"that" is unnecessary.\n\nIt would be best written as:\n\nThe lessons, the paper, the subject; none remind me of you.
314239
The second option is the most correct, with the comma coming before "and" and the last item in the list. In the past few years, however, people keep trying to tell me that you don't need a comma anymore (anything to eliminate a keystroke, I guess). If you are answering a question for an English assignment, I would say you still need a comma. By the way, it's "grammar" and not "grammer." Have a happy day.
266414
either is acceptable..\n\nthough, if you would be using the sentence in theme papers.. or any formal writing..\n\nyou should use the second..\n\nthis is for the reason that when a number is present in a sentence..\n\nit is only appropriate that you affix the word "for"..\n\nexample...\n\nwe were trekking for four days (it wouldn't seem formal if you use "we were trekking four days")
133256
Hiya :-) ! I think it is because the "bye-bye" is more emotionally meant... because, usually, you would say "goodbye"... you are really leaving someone, whereas with "Hello", you would still spend time with the person? I also think the second "bye" really emphasises that. You could just say "Bye" as well, which might sound colder or indifferent. To some people, "Bye-Bye" is just what they got used to. Hmmm :o) ... don't know. Just my thoughts. \n\nCould not read the links yet but will definitely help you... probably :-) . Have a nice weekend :-) !
1599
If you think of the "and" operator in grammar as a "plus" in math, then no--both can't exist simultaneously (well, after you poop it out I guess).\n\nAnd since people want to emphasize you not being able to have something more than the action maybe that's why they say the HAVE first.
354583
8:00 pm east coast, history channel. Maybe some people can learn a bit of truth about this holiday. Native Americans have gotten the crappy end of the stick more than any other race of people in America. If more people really knew their history, not the crap they teach about feel good history, they wouldn't write the kind of responses I have read. I guess it applies to all forums on here. Some people wouldn't believe the truth even if it was smacking them in the face. Demonize it, then kill it or pass a law to control it. Worked then, works now.
288456
This is a toughie.\n\nIt seems to me that the only sociolinguistic situation in which a person can use this form of address is when a younger person is addressing an older person.  There are two example situations that spring to mind (1) your child's friend is addressing you or (2) a young child is addressing his/her teacher.\n\nIt is pretty common practice for children to address their teachers in this way, especially if the teacher has a long last name or the last name is hard to pronounce.  For example, I called my 5th-grade teacher "Mr. P".\n\nIf a child were using this form of address for his/her friend's mom, I would consider it less formal than using the whole name, but still respectful.
253772
I can't believe how many people are answering this incorrectly!  It is two spaces after the end of a sentence, always.\n\nBy the way, you are not ancient.  You should be proud of yourself for returning to school.
544043
Merry Christmas is not politically correct. CHRISTmas, hence the common usage of the phrase Xmas. Something like 'Wishing you a merry festive season' says it without crossing any boundaries.
377708
It's many years since I did maths but shouldn't there be an = somewhere? And isn't there normally "y" too? I thought it would be fun to stretch my brain for a change but...Am I being obtuse?
74267
it's not words beginning with a vowel, it's words beginning with a vowel SOUND. so, like honor..."It was an honor" because it sounds like an "o". Also, it's "I type slowly." It's an adverb. IT's only used as slow when it's an adjective or noun" Like, Slow and Steady wins the race." But, with the H, it's only if it sounds like a vowel, not necessarily if it is a vowel. So...examples:" That's a house. (sounds like an "h")", "It's spelled with an "h"(sounds like an "a"). Sorry, these are confusing sentences...but, do you get what I'm trying to say? :) Hope it helps
383903
I don't know why people are responding to this on the iambic pentameter etc front. Are you not asking a question about the multiple negatives? If so, I would respond that people still use this (it isn't unknown for people never to use a purely singular negative form), wasn't he doing it for effect, don't nobody do it no more?
570188
My wedding wasn't in English, but there was no 'A' word either. In Turkey, it's illegal to mention God during your wedding. Pretty cool, eh? I love this country!
392927
I don't say "Merry Christmas" because I don't celebrate Christmas. I do celebrate Yule, however because I follow Asatru (Northern Euro Paganism). So I usually say "Happy Yule" or depending on who I'm greeting I may say "Happy Holidays" if I don't feel like explaining Yule at the time. Also, I don't hold it against anyone wishing me a Merry Xmas either. If someone wishes me Merry Xmas, I know it's a friendly greeting and not an attack on my religion. \n\nTo refer to the part of your question about people changing things, I think you're just seeing the effect of having a growing diversity. The country is not populated exclusively by Christmas celebrating Christians. There are a multitude of different clutures and religions, many of which have holidays celebrated around the solstice time. Because of that, many people offer up a greeting of "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" when they don't know the background of whomever they are addressing or when addressing a wide audience. It's a matter of politeness and sensitivity. Also stores, for example are now referring to sales as "holiday" sales etc. Their reasoning for this is valid. They want to include as wide an audience as possible as customers. Whether you're Jewish, pagan, atheist or christian, your money is just as good. \n\nWith all that said. I don't think there is anything wrong with you saying Merry Christmas. If that is what you celebrate, good for you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season (which I consider to be everything from Thanksgiving thru New Years). \n\nHappy Yule!