90
Mrs. Bluezette's Grammar Guide
a historic/a historical
If your newsroom is anything like that of a producer in Saginaw, it
has some lively discussions on word choice.
"We constantly debate ... historic vs. historical. And where is it
appropriate to use `an' with a word that begins with the letter H,
such as with the word Hispanic or Historic?"
Lisa Farrell
WNEM 5
"Historic" means "famous" or "important in history."
v
He reported on the HISTORIC burning of the first CD.
"Historical" means "about history or something that existed in the
past"; it doesn't have to be important.
v
A HISTORICAL exhibition will feature several bank buildings.
Use "a" before consonant sounds; if the "h" is pronounced, that's a
consonant sound.
So it would be: "A historic," "A historical," "A Hispanic."
Use "an" before a vowel sound.
If you hear the "a," "e," "i," "o," or "u," use "an."
v
AN advertising agency sent the press release.
v
We'll take AN exit on the other side of the city.
v
If you're AN inventor, you know all about nocturnal epiphanies.
v
AN open door signaled that someone was probably home.
v
I've never seen such AN ugly news vehicle.
