Why do people say "an honorary degree" even though honorary does not begin with a vowel? What other occasions should "an" be used before a "non-vowel" word?

Brainyblonde

A or an? Whether we use a or an depends upon the pronunciation of the following adjective or noun, not on the spelling. If the adjective or noun starts with a vowel sound, even if it is written as a consonant, we use an: * What did you have for lunch today? ~ I had an apple, an orange and an enormous pizza. * If you want to do an honest day's work you will need to be at your desk for longer than an hour and a half. * An MP at Westminster paid for his lunch with an IOU the other day as he had neither money nor credit cards in his pocket. An MP is a Member of Parliament and an IOU is an I-owe-you. Note how in pronunciation the n in an flows on to, and almost becomes attached to, the following adjective or noun. An MP becomes a Nem P, an honest day's work becomes a nonest day's work. If the adjective or noun starts with a consonant sound, even if it is written as a vowel, we use a: * A university education for a child coming from a one-parent family was unusual. * A European network of contacts for a successful businessman is essential. http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv199.shtml Aug 05 06, 4:19 PM

lanfranco

Back in 1984, when Geraldine Ferraro was nominated as the running mate to Walter Mondale, who was attempting to defeat Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr., TIME magazine ran a highly-controversial cover headline above a picture of Geraldine: "A Historic Choice." For many weeks afterwards, TIME contended with correspondents who claimed that "an" was the only proper article before a noun that began with "h". Other correspendents disagreed. The dispute has never been fully resolved -- grammarians do not, and rarely have, agreed with one another in this post-modern age -- so let's just all let it go. An or A -- whatever you like, whatever feels most natural to you. Aug 05 06, 7:16 PM

zbeckabee

A excellent point! Aug 05 06, 11:39 PM

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Which university twice refused the Iron Lady an honorary degree? Who was the only woman during the American Civil War to be given a real (as opposed to an honorary) commission in the Confederate States Army, also who gave her this commission and why was it granted? Who is the Honorary Chairman of the People to People Student Ambassador Programs? What is an 8 letter word with one syllable and one vowel?

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