Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Unek]

Hello! Which of the following is correct? Thank you for the answer in advance!


The Americans pronounce "herb" without the "h".

Americans pronounce "herb" without the "h".

[CP]

Actually, there are so many different British and American dialects that you can find some Americans saying "herb" and some British saying "erb," but generally yes it is a silent "h" for Americans, for this word. The name Herb / Herbert does not have a silent "h."

There are lots of "h" words that the British and Americans pronounce differently. Usually, the silent "h" is the British pronunciation, but in this case the silent "h" is the American. And sometimes some Brits pronounce words beginning with a vowel as though beginning with an "h," as in, "Ere come Arold and Hanna" for "Here come Harold and Anna." I have even read that some names, like Hanna, or Hannah, started out without the "h" but gained the "h" because of the way people pronounced them.

Why? Don't know. Which is correct? Don't know. I say "erb" and "Anna" and "history," but I was born in Los Angeles.
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[Unek]

Hello!

You must have misunderstood me, I only meant if I need the definite article in front of Americans or if I should drop it.

Unek