Easy enough. The word for the letter "l" is "el" or "ell". It's in most dictionaries. "B" is "be". El starts with a vowel, be starts with a consonant, so it's an L, and a B. Or to quote the AP stylebook, use a before "consonant sounds" rather than consonant letters. In other words, "a one-handed man" because "one" begins with a "w" sound. "A union" because it's a "y" sound. They also say "a historical" which I've always said is correct. Brits often say "an historic" but unless they've got an accent where they drop the "h" sound, it's really a regional exception to the rule. And for that matter, if they're dropping the "h" they're not pronouncing it properly anyway.
Ah ha! Awesome. I figured there had to be some kind of rule somewhere with exceptions for this.
As Selv mentioned, I've used 'an honor' and 'an hour' countless times, but I just never really thought about it.
Tonight has just been one of those nights where my mind is bouncing to a million different places at any given moment. One of the 'stops' was on this odd little tidbit that I stumbled on.
Thanks Westryl, I knew I was close with the el thing, I just couldn't remember the one and union examples. I shoulda pulled out my english books and looked it up, but oh well.
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As Selv mentioned, I've used 'an honor' and 'an hour' countless times, but I just never really thought about it.
Tonight has just been one of those nights where my mind is bouncing to a million different places at any given moment. One of the 'stops' was on this odd little tidbit that I stumbled on.
Thanks! Can file that one away now.
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