Use Of The A And An Questions Medium
Yes, you can use "a" or "an" before words starting with a silent "h." The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound that follows the silent "h."
If the word starting with a silent "h" is followed by a vowel sound, you would use "an." For example, "an hour" or "an honest person." In these cases, the silent "h" allows for the smooth pronunciation of the following vowel sound.
On the other hand, if the word starting with a silent "h" is followed by a consonant sound, you would use "a." For example, "a hotel" or "a historic event." In these cases, the silent "h" does not affect the pronunciation of the following consonant sound.
Therefore, the use of "a" or "an" before words starting with a silent "h" depends on the sound that follows the silent "h."