My qustions are serious. Here's another one: do have to say "an hour" or "a hour"? I know that if the substantive starts with a vowel I have to add an "n" to the "a". But what about words where you don't pronounce the consonant?
These are serious questions. I'd be really grateful (<- gratefull?) if someone would answer them.
To the best of my knowledge the consonant "n" has been
added as a result of pronunciation customary. In French
it's called an "aspirate h" -- we follow the same in
English, e.g., it's simply easier and better cadence to
say "an historian" than "a historian." 99% of good grammar
comes from HABIT, i.e.,after we learn the rules we have
to repetitiously apply them in order for them to become
common usage. Therefore we often know that something is
grammatically correct but have forgotten WHY it is correct.
This is why it's important for people growing up to be
around others who practice correct grammer so that it's
reinforced. However, we all forget certain rules
and we all sometimes have questions about proper grammar.
I heartily recommend, "The Grammar Bible." It can be
purchased online at National Review Books.
Go phonetically.