The choice of article depends on the phonetic quality of the first letter in a word. If the first letter makes a vowel-type sound, you use “an”; if the first letter makes a consonant-type sound, you use “a” (i.e. “a” historian, “an” honorable)
In this case the “h” is pronounced, hence, a hermaphrodite.
Now, the bonus question is…what pronoun do you use? He or she?
I say it’s “a” because of the hard H.
As for he/she…
I guess a safe thing to do is refer to the person’s name. If the hermaphrodite in question is named “Steve” then use he. If it’s “Pat” or “Terry” I’d have no clue! I think I would just use their name over an over.
Being PC can be so difficult.
August 1st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I think You’re splitting hairs.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:40 am
well, which is it?
August 2nd, 2007 at 10:56 am
The choice of article depends on the phonetic quality of the first letter in a word. If the first letter makes a vowel-type sound, you use “an”; if the first letter makes a consonant-type sound, you use “a” (i.e. “a” historian, “an” honorable)
In this case the “h” is pronounced, hence, a hermaphrodite.
Now, the bonus question is…what pronoun do you use? He or she?
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
You are the Grammar Girl for a new generation. Or this generation. Or yah.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm
I say it’s “a” because of the hard H.
As for he/she…
I guess a safe thing to do is refer to the person’s name. If the hermaphrodite in question is named “Steve” then use he. If it’s “Pat” or “Terry” I’d have no clue! I think I would just use their name over an over.
Being PC can be so difficult.
August 2nd, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Elide the “h” and the answer is “an”. It’s all about pronunciation