The Article
_A,_ which is a shortened form of _an,_ signifies _one, _or _any. An_
was formerly used before nouns beginning with either a consonant or a
vowel sound, but now _an_ is used before a vowel sound and _a_ before a
consonant sound; as, _a_ book, _a_ hat, _an _apple, _an_ eagle.
It will be observed that _an_ heiress, _an_ herb, _an_ honest man, _an_
honorable career, _an_ hourly visit, _a_ euchre party, _a_ euphemism,
_a_ eulogy, _a_ union, etc., are not exceptions to the foregoing rule,
for the _h_ being silent in _heiress, herb, _etc., the article _an_
precedes a vowel sound, and in _euphemism, eulogy, union,_ the article
_a_ precedes the consonant sound of _y. _Compare _u-nit_ with _you
knit._
In like manner some persons have felt disposed to say _many an one
_instead of _many a one_ because of the presence of the vowel _o_. But
the sound is the consonant sound of _w_ as in _won_, and the article
should be _a_ and not _an._
There is a difference of opinion among writers concerning the use of
_a_ and _an,_ before words
beginning with _h,_ when not silent, especially when the accent falls
on the second syllable; as, _a_ harpoon, _a_ hegira, _a_ herbarium, _a_
herculean effort, _a_ hiatus, _a_ hidalgo, _a_ hydraulic engine, _a_
hyena, _a_ historian. The absence of the accent weakens the _h _sound,
and makes it seem as if the article _a_ was made to precede a vowel.
The use of _an_ is certainly more euphonious and is supported by
_Webster’s Dictionary_ and other high authority.
The Honorable, The Reverend
Such titles as _Honorable_ and _Reverend_ require the article _the;_
as, “The Honorable William R. Gladstone is often styled ‘The Grand Old
Man,’” “The Reverend Henry Ward Beecher was an eloquent orator,” not
_Honorable William, E. Gladstone,_ or _Reverend Henry Ward Beecher._
Article omitted
“A clergyman and philosopher entered the hall together.” _“A _clergyman
and philosopher” means one person who is both clergyman and
philosopher. The article should be repeated. _“A_ clergyman and _a_
philosopher entered the hall together.”
_“A_ red and white flag” means one flag of two colors. _“A_ red and _a_
white flag” means two flags, a red flag and a white flag. _“A _great
and _a_ good man has departed.” The verb _has_ implies that only
one man has departed, hence the sentence should be, “A great and good
man has departed.”
“They sang the first and second verse,” should be, “They sang _the_
first and _the_ second verse.” “The literal and figurative meaning of
words” should be, _“The_ literal and _the_ figurative meaning of
words.”
“In framing of his sentences he was very exact,” should be, “In _the
_framing,” etc., or, “In framing his sentences he was very exact.” “The
masculine and feminine gender,” should be, “_The_ masculine and _the
_feminine gender.”
“After singing a hymn, Miss Willard made a stirring address.” If Miss
Willard alone sang the hymn the sentence is correct. If the
congregation sang the hymn the sentence should be, “After _the_ singing
of a hymn, Miss Willard made a stirring address.”
“He is but a poor writer at best.” Say, “at _the_ best.” “He received
but a thousand votes at most.” Say, “at _the_ most.”
“John came day before yesterday.” Say, _“the_ day before yesterday.”
Article redundant
“Shakespeare was a greater writer than _an_ actor,” should be,
“Shakespeare was a greater writer than actor.”
“This is the kind of _a_ tree of which he was
speaking,” should be, “This is the kind of tree,” etc. “What kind of
_a_ bird is this?” should be, “What kind of bird.”
“The one styled _the_ Provost is the head of the University,” should
be, “The one styled Provost.”
“The nominative and _the_ objective cases,” should be “The nominative
and objective cases.”
“He made a mistake in _the_ giving out the text.” Say “in giving out
the text,” or, “in _the_ giving out of the text.” In the latter
instance, the participle becomes a noun and may take the article before
it.
Articles interchanged
_“An_ elephant is the emblem of Siam,” should be, “The elephant is the
emblem,” etc. “A digraph is _the_ union of two letters to represent one
sound.” Should be, “A digraph is _a_ union,” etc.