Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

Use an before a silent 'h'. Use a before an aspirated 'h'.

  • an heir
  • an honour
  • an hour
  • a hotel
  • a historian

With abbreviations, be guided by pronunciation. If the start of the abbreviation sounds like a vowel, use an. If it sounds like a consonant, use a.

  • a BSc
  • an EdD
  • an LLB
  • an MB ChB
  • an MPH
  • an MSc
  • a PGCertGP
  • a PhD

About the Writing Style Guide

This guide is designed to help ensure writing style – whether for internal or external audiences, written for print or online – is consistent and maintains a professional standard across the University. It is not designed for academic writing.

Feedback

Please send any feedback – including reports of errors or requests for changes – to writing.style@otago.ac.nz

Back to top