Is H really silent?

[Diamond72]

I have been told that you use an an before H because the H is silent and it is followed by a vowel. I am not so sure H is silent, as it seems to me that I pronounce the letter H in Heir. Am I pronouncing the word wrong. If it is pronounced eir then why used the letter H if it is silent?

 

[Aaron112]

web: "A vs An before H​

Based on the search results, here’s a summary of when to use “an” before words starting with the letter “H”:

• Use “an” before words starting with a silent or unsounded “H”. This means that if the “H” is not pronounced, the word begins with a vowel sound, and “an” is used. Examples:
  • An hour
  • An honor
  • An honest man
• Use “a” before words starting with a pronounced “H”. This means that if the “H” is pronounced, the word begins with a consonant sound, and “a” is used. Examples:
  • A horse
  • A hotel
  • A historic event

It’s worth noting that some style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, recommend using “an” before words starting with “h” when the sound of the word is vowel-like, regardless of whether the “h” is pronounced or silent. However, this approach is not universally accepted, and many writers and editors prefer to follow the more traditional rule of using “a” before pronounced “h” sounds and “an” before silent or unsounded “h” sounds.
Ultimately, the choice between “a” and “an” before words starting with “H” depends on the specific context and the style guide or convention being followed."

 

[Chesterton]

It's a pet peeve of mine that people do it wrong. You'll hear it in news media and such. Somebody will say "this is an historic event". Where did they get the idea to do this from? From where did they get the idea to do this?

(Since this is about grammar I didn't want to end a sentence with a preposition.)

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

I have been told that you use an an before H because the H is silent and it is followed by a vowel. I am not so sure H is silent, as it seems to me that I pronounce the letter H in Heir. Am I pronouncing the word wrong. If it is pronounced eir then why used the letter H if it is silent?

Please watch this video clip from the UK comedian Michael McIntyre ... you won't regret it

How the English language would sound if silent letters weren’t silent - Michael McIntyre