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a historical vs an historical

Both 'a historical' and 'an historical' are correct, but 'a historical' is more commonly used in American English, while 'an historical' is more common in British English. The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the pronunciation of the following word, not just its spelling.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1003 views

a historical

This phrase is correct and commonly used in American English.

Use 'a historical' when the 'h' in 'historical' is pronounced as a consonant sound, as in 'a historical event.'

Examples:

She gave a historical overview of the war.
It was a historical moment for the country.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now, put a or an before each one (the adjectives should be paired with nouns so you can get the full effect): a historian. an historian. a historical reference.
The novel recreates that era with remarkable precision. Nearly every character – except the heroine – is a historical figure. Events and intrigues unfold with great ...
Neuroscience: A Historical Introduction, +, Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience, +, The Future of the Brain: Essays by the World's ...
Apr 15, 2015 ... Apply for a Historical Marker. The historical marker process in Texas begins at the county level. After you have reviewed all the relevant ...

Alternatives:

a historic
a history-making
a significant
an important
an eventful

an historical

This phrase is correct and more commonly used in British English.

Use 'an historical' when the 'h' in 'historical' is not pronounced strongly, making the following word sound like it starts with a vowel sound, as in 'an historical event.'

Examples:

She gave an historical account of the battle.
It was an historical occasion for the community.

Show examples from the web [+]

Example: a/an historical event >It was my impression that the rule for "BBC English" is that if the >initial syllable of the "h" word is unstressed (historical) one uses ...
Nov 2, 2011 ... I believe the main reason so many people say an historical is simply that they were taught that way. It's a special exception to the "use 'a' before ...
an historical reference. a historic occasion. an historic occasion. a hysterical display. an hysterical display. a hereditary disease. an hereditary disease.
Sep 11, 2014 ... When people use “an historical” on NPR, it's because [they're] snooty. Only a Cockney or an hidiot [would say] “an historic.” [People who ...

Alternatives:

an historic
an eventful
an important
a significant
a momentous

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