So today I was writing up some notes for a work project, and I typed out this sentence: “the meeting lasted a hour.” Right as I hit period, my brain did that annoying itch thing. Something felt off, but I couldn’t pin it.
I stared at the screen like it owed me money. “A hour… an hour… which one actually sounds right?” Grabbed my coffee mug and mumbled both versions aloud. “A hour” made my tongue trip – felt like trying to swallow dry crackers. But “an hour” rolled out smooth, like peanut butter.
Pulled out my dusty grammar book from the shelf behind my monitor. The rule slapped me in the face: use an before vowel sounds, a before consonants. Easy peasy… till I looked at “hour” again. H is a consonant letter, but when I actually say “hour”, it starts with that “ow” sound.
Scratched my head and opened YouTube. Typed “hour pronunciation” and listened to like five different dudes say it. Every single one swallowed the H – just “Oww-ur”. Realized the rule cares about your mouth noises, not the alphabet letters.
Tested my theory with other H-words:
- ✓ “an honest mistake” (H silent)
- ✗ “a honest mistake” (feels gross)
- ✓ “a horse” (H blasted loud)
- ✗ “an horse” (sounds pretentious)
Finally got it: if the H shuts up, give it an. If the H barks, use a. My coffee went cold during this detective mission, but now my brain’s quiet. Ended up scribbling in my notebook:
H-WORDS CHEAT SHEET:
– Silent H → an (hour/honor/heir)
– Loud H → a (house/hat/hero)
Funny how something this tiny can wreck your flow. Almost texted my college English prof to apologize for skipping class that Tuesday in 2011.
