What is the correct usage for an?

Answer 1

The word 'an' is a variation of the indefinite article 'a' and is used when the first sound of the word following the article is that of a vowel. Examples are: an apple, an elephant, an infant, an orange, an uncle. etc. There may be the odd example of 'an' preceding a word beginning with the letter 'y' if 'y' is pronounced as a vowel. Less clear is whether 'a' or 'an' should be used before a word beginning with the consonant 'h,' which is often silent. Examples are: an hour, an honest person, etc., but a half hour, a happy person. Troublesome, sometimes, can be: a history, but (maybe) an historical novel. There may also be examples of 'an' preceding other silent consonants.